Office of Business Opportunity

About the Director

Marsha MurrayMarsha E. Murray, Esq., was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner and confirmed by City Council to serve as the Director of the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) in April 2020, after having served as OBO’s Interim Director.  As Director, Ms. Murray is responsible for leading the City’s supplier diversity, workforce development, and inclusion efforts, with a focus on administering programs and initiatives that increase access to economic opportunity for historically underutilized businesses and disenfranchised individuals.

Prior to being appointed as Interim Director, Director Murray served as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Houston’s Legal Department, as well as the Deputy Director for OBO. As Chief Administrative Officer for the Legal Department, she was responsible for strategically managing its operational and administrative needs to enhance its delivery of quality legal services. During her seven years as Deputy Director for OBO, she led its operations, core programs and policy development.  Director Murray was integral to the organization’s growth and evolution having implemented comprehensive operational changes and policy updates in the department. Recognizing a need in Houston’s small business community, she spearheaded the expansion of OBO’s services to include facilitating the provision of free legal assistance and guidance on doing business globally. For her work in OBO on behalf of Houston’s business community, in February 2019, she received OBO’s Advisory Board Chairman’s Advocate of the Year Award.

Director Murray’s commitment to public service spans almost two decades. Prior to joining the City of Houston, she served as legal counsel to New York City’s government for 10 years. During that time, she worked to ensure that the most vulnerable New Yorkers had access to social services and led programs that served to maximize housing options for citizens in a perpetually challenging housing market.

Director Murray has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Spanish from Colgate University and a Law Degree from Villanova University School of Law.  Her advocacy for local businesses to expand their services and products to global markets led her to earn a designation as a Certified Global Business Professional in order to provide assistance to Houston businesses.  She is a graduate of the Center for Houston’s Future Business/Civic Leadership Forum and she serves on the board of Zonta Club of Houston, a global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. Director Murray has served on national and international panels advocating for the continued support and development of small businesses.