Tracey Prince, EMPA

Tracey Prince’s reach and accomplishments are widespread, encompassing education, business, telecommunications, politics, and public service. As Sr. Director of Government Relations for Houston First Corporation, the City of Houston’s official marketing organization, she has been a key player in promoting Houston worldwide, attracting businesses, and helping to make Houston one of the nation’s best cities to live, work and visit. Houston First Corporation manages over ten city-owned arts and entertainment venues, including the George R. Brown Convention Center, all of which fall within some aspect of her portfolio.

Tracey’s responsibilities at Houston First Corporation include developing and managing the corporation’s relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and government agencies. She has become the go-to person after successfully managing partnerships/relationships that have resulted in several opportunities for both residents of Houston and those in the private sector. 

Prior to this position, she served three years as the Government Account Manager for Verizon Wireless. Responsible for sales and customer support to government accounts, Tracey consistently led the team, exceeding annual sales by 150%. Her position at Verizon Wireless, which included meetings with high-level officials in Houston Independent School District and local elected officials, laid the groundwork for her rapid rise at Houston First Corporation.

Tracey’s advocacy extends to initiating and facilitating collaborative projects within greater Houston. She works tirelessly to develop and implement short and long-term strategies to build and support, in particular, underserved and marginalized communities. Tracey was called upon to utilize her expertise in bringing people together when she was asked to organize Houston’s Social Justice and Social Healing forum with the Los Angeles County Probation Department and the Black Probation Officers Association with the goal of collaborating with the community to reimagine the justice system.

Tracey is a proud graduate of Texas Southern University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences Degree in Telecommunications, with a Minor in General Business.  She returned to her Alma Mater to pursue an Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA). Additionally, during Tracey’s junior year at Texas Southern University, she was selected to travel to Washington D.C. to participate in the Late Congressman Mickey Leland’s internship program, where she served on the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance, chaired by then-Congressman Edward J. Markey, who now serves as Senator Edward J. Markey.

Tracey is a native Houstonian with a big heart for serving her community. She served on the Julia C. Hester House board of directors for two years and is a proud member of Leadership Houston Class #30. Tracey volunteered at her son’s school, serving six years as the PTO President from elementary to middle school. Her work and service are ongoing, as exemplified in her serving a third year on the board of directors for St. Pius X High School.

In addition, Tracey is serving her first year on the board of directors for the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. On January 30, 2023, Tracey was honored to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award/MLK Dream Award, signed by President Joe Biden. She is happily married to Ronald Prince, and they are the proud parents of their beloved son Justice Prince.