Helen Callier Named Mentor of the Year for Impact on Houston’s Construction Business Community
Sharon S Gordon 
Helen Callier of Permit Us Now
Helen Callier, Founder and CEO of PermitUsNow, has been named Mentor of the Year by the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum (GHBPF), recognizing her long-standing commitment to developing and empowering small businesses within Houston’s architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.
Callier received the honor alongside Ben Reyes, CEO of REYTEC, one of the region’s largest underground utilities and infrastructure contractors. The award highlights leaders who go beyond their own business success to actively guide, educate, and uplift others navigating Houston’s complex procurement and contracting landscape.
For more than 34 years, GHBPF has served as one of Houston’s most established government procurement networking forums, connecting small businesses with public and private contracting opportunities. Its Mentor of the Year Award is reserved for individuals who consistently share knowledge, provide real-world guidance, and help strengthen the region’s overall business ecosystem.
“This award was truly a welcomed surprise,” Callier said. “It means a lot to know that sharing insights, tips, and real-world strategies can make a positive difference for other business owners. Texas has the eighth-largest GDP in the world, and being in Houston puts businesses in the middle of billions of dollars in opportunity.”
A Proven Track Record of Leadership
For more than two decades, Callier has played a key role in strengthening Houston’s contractor and supplier pipeline. Widely respected for her practical, no-nonsense guidance on permitting, procurement readiness, compliance, and capital program navigation, she has become a trusted mentor for entrepreneurs looking to scale in the AEC space.
Her approach is rooted in simplifying complex systems and sharing lessons learned from firsthand experience—helping small firms avoid costly missteps and position themselves for long-term growth. While co-honoree Ben Reyes has made significant contributions through REYTEC’s infrastructure work, the spotlight this year underscored Callier’s direct and personal impact on business owners across the region.
During the award ceremony, Reyes offered public praise, telling Callier, “Helen, you’re a force to be reckoned with—just keep doing what you’re doing.”
Supporting Small Businesses in a Growing Market
GHBPF’s recognition also reflects Callier’s active role in preparing small businesses for public-sector contracting. Through workshops, speaking engagements, and hands-on mentoring, she helps entrepreneurs understand operational readiness, permitting strategies, and how to position themselves competitively in the marketplace.
Her guidance has helped companies pursue opportunities with major agencies and organizations, including Harris Health, Houston Public Works, METRO Transit, Port Houston, H-E-B, and leading general contractors.
Under Callier’s leadership, PermitUsNow has grown into one of Texas’ most trusted permitting and expediting firms, supporting projects ranging from healthcare expansions and retail developments to major infrastructure initiatives. Known for fast, efficient permitting solutions, the firm helps keep construction schedules on track and reduces costly delays.
PermitUsNow is also the only permitting company ever featured in an H-E-B commercial and has received national recognition from SubContractors USA and the NFL Super Bowl 51 Official Commemorative Magazine for outstanding service.
About Helen Callier
Helen Callier is the Founder and CEO of PermitUsNow, a Houston-based building permitting and expediting firm recognized across the construction industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and the University of Texas at Austin Red McCombs School of Business Program.
A former State of Texas Commissioner for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Callier has been honored by the Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Awards and other industry organizations. She is active in BOAT, AGC, PHTA, and multiple chambers of commerce, serves on the advisory board for SubContractors USA, and is a published author, speaker, and frequent contributor to business and philanthropic initiatives.
About PermitUsNow
PermitUsNow is redefining the building permitting process nationwide. The firm helps architects, contractors, and project owners streamline permitting so they can focus on delivering successful projects. Its team has worked with more than 1,000 jurisdictions across Texas and North America and contributes to industry education, including the publication The Real Secret to Permitting Your Construction Projects.
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