Marisol Herrera is a skilled leader in government procurement and small business support, currently serving as the State Director of the Connecticut APEX Accelerator (CT APEX) program. She leads a dynamic and diverse team of six Procurement Specialists, driving economic growth in Connecticut by helping small businesses secure contracts at federal, state, and local levels.

With broad experience in building strategic alliances, providing contracting support, and delivering education and training, Marisol is a proven business development manager known for meeting critical deadlines in both industry and government sectors. Her effective communication skills and successful collaborations with senior business, government, and non-profit leaders underscore her leadership capabilities.

Previously, Marisol served as President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bridgeport, CT, from 2019 to 2022, where she championed Hispanic and minority businesses.

Contact Marisol: [email protected]

Allisa Young came to CT APEX as a Procurement Specialist in 2020 with an extensive work history in a variety of industries.  Her professional experience includes over 10 years in real estate, in addition to legal administration, public relations, telecommunications, solar energy, and marketing.   She was also a co-owner of a small construction company in Southeastern Connecticut for several years.  Allisa has a Certifications in both Corporate Wellness Coaching & Wellness Coaching through Spencer Institute and attended Three Rivers Community College, focusing on psychology.

Allisa was a member of ECAR (Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors) for 12 years, in addition to being affiliated with the Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce & Northeast Chamber of Commerce.  Allisa is an avid researcher who is committed to being an asset to the economic growth of Connecticut based businesses, while ‘Perpetually Evolving’ and learning new processes.

Contact Allisa: [email protected]

Ishrat Nazmi brings a wealth of experience to her role as the Business Development Manager at CT APEX. Starting her journey as a Procurement Specialist, Ishrat quickly demonstrated her strategic acumen and dedication, which paved the way for her transition into business development. With over a decade of experience in aerospace manufacturing, particularly with industry giants like Pratt & Whitney, she has honed her skills in procurement, project management, and supply chain optimization.

In her current role, Ishrat leverages her extensive background in strategic planning and stakeholder relationship building to drive growth and development for Connecticut businesses in the government contracting space. Her expertise includes conducting market research, organizing educational workshops, and developing competitive proposals for government contracts. Ishrat is focused on strengthening the Defense Industrial Base and enhancing the CT Manufacturing Ecosystem.

Contact Ishrat: [email protected]

Meredith Glasgow, a Nashville native who now resides in New Haven, graduated from the University of Mississippi with a BS in Marketing and also studied International Business in Maynooth, Ireland. She has a diverse set of skills due to her background in account management, customer service, team leadership, shipping and receiving, parts manufacturing, event organization, budgeting, and procurement. She is now an expert on her team in government contracting for manufacturers, particularly when doing business with the Department of Defense. She leads the marketing initiatives for the CTAPEX program through social media, outreach and communications, data analytics, event participation, and partnerships with resource partners.

Contact Meredith: [email protected]

Andres David Calvache is a bilingual Ecuadorian native and recent CT resident. Andres’s 6-year career in procurement has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier management. Andres really gives his time and effort to all his clients and is always willing to hear their issues. His dedication to excellence and his proactive approach to problem-solving have set him apart as a reliable and resourceful professional. Andres’s involvement with CT Apex Accelerators reflects his strong belief in the potential of local businesses and entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and innovation.

Contact Andres: [email protected]

Jonathan Hart holds an AAS in Intelligence Operations. He has a diverse background, including work as a procurement agent for a Food Manufacturer and has experience with sales, data entry, logistics, intelligence analysis, Foreign Relations, International business, and Apparatus Maintenance.

He currently serves in the Army Reserves as a Sergeant and is a Volunteer Firefighter with the rank of Lieutenant. Jonathan will passionately advocates for Veteran and First Responder owned businesses.

Contact Jonathan: [email protected]

Kendy Tran graduated from UCONN with a BA in Economics focusing on Data Sciences. He previously worked as a SWE and Data Analyst (MDM) Master Data Management for Mayo Clinic.

He is multilingual: fluent in Vietnamese, and Chinese Mandarin & French (Conversational).

Past experience leading a team: Lead/Manager and Supervisor of production in a Health Manufacturing Company, administered data and monitored production trends, and participated in cross-functional teams.

He is a quicker learner, extremely tech savvy, well versed in software language coding, data analysis, hardware knowledge and stocks.

Contact Kendy: [email protected]