Paralee Shivers was the former Director of Houston Community College System (HCCS) Small Business Development Program. As such, she developed and implemented small business program initiatives to help increase the number of contracts awarded to small/minority-owned businesses who desired to do business with HCCS. Her responsibilities included, extensive small business outreach, technical assistance, small business contract compliance, and marketing the program via business forums, expos, print, electronic media including scheduled radio and TV shows. She assisted in the creation of the small business incubator program initiative, a 6-month pilot program for HCC, which was located at HCC Northeast Codwell Hall Campus, which consisted of student business owners who desired to develop their business skills.

Ms. Shivers was responsible for the general operations of the Multi-Cultural Business Entrepreneurial Center (MCBEC) located in HCC’s System Facility in Houston, Texas. Some of her key responsibilities were to recruit and develop small businesses and students (international/immigrant, i.e. African, Asian and Hispanic communities) desiring to enhance their skills for entrepreneurialship. The MCBEC Incubator Program, which is located in Houston’s Mid-Town area was managed and promoted through the HCC System, Small Business Development Department.

Ms. Shivers previously served as METRO's Business Development & Assistance Officer for over ten (10) years. Ms. Shivers was responsible for the development, implementation and management of small business development and technical assistance programs. She developed and implemented program initiatives designed to help small and minority-owned businesses become more competitive and successful when bidding on METRO contracts.

In 2004, under the leadership of Ms. Shivers, METRO received the HMBC 2004 Minority Program Innovation Award for assisting small and minority-owned businesses throughout the Houston and surrounding areas. Ms. Shivers was named Minority Advocate of the year by the Houston Minority Development Center for 2001. This award is given each business year to a person who has demonstrated consistent commitment to assisting small and minority businesses in the Houston and surrounding areas. She is also the recipient of the 2007 MEDWeek Business Development Achievement Award, the 2008 Texas Southern University Tavis Smiley School of Communication Stellar Communicator Award and the A Chance of Success 2008 Making the Difference Community Service Award.

Ms. Shivers diligently worked with small and minority-owned businesses to assess and determine their business needs. She served as a liaison for small and minority businesses and is a highly regarded in the community as a resource that continued to increase the number of minority firms referred to the appropriate organizations for needed assistance.

Ms. Shivers regularly supported ongoing minority council and chamber forums designed to empower small and minority firms to become successful when doing business with small and large organizations. She represented METRO throughout the city of Houston informing small and minority-owned firms how to do business with METRO. She conducted workshops designed to equip minority firms with the necessary tools for success contracting with METRO.

She received her Bachelors and Masters of Arts Degrees in Speech Communication from Texas Southern University and has hours toward her doctorate (University of Phoenix). She serves on several local boards of directors; including, Tri-County Black Chamber of Commerce, Turning Hearts Youth Ministry, Crossroads Youth Academy and A Chance of Success, Inc. Ms. Shivers currently serves as President of the Greater Houston COMTO Chapter located in Houston, Texas. Additionally, she has served on the national board of directors such as Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) and as a Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Ambassador for the American Public Transit Association (APTA). Paralee is the founder of two non-profit organizations designed to assist young girls and women: The MISSFITS Christian Girls Club and the Women Empowerment Training Institute (WETI). Also the author of "Got 10 Minutes" motivational handbook, "Got 10 Minute: How To Be An Extra-Ordinary Entrepreneur" the book, "Got 10 Minutes: Sermon Journal" and "Got 10 Minutes: Daily Planner", as well as, owner of Energy Force Publishing Company.

She serves as Adjunct Professor for Texas Southern University and the Houston Community College System.