Chief Executive Officer

Bryan Kelley serves as the CEO—Chief Empowerment Officer as we like to call it—of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP). Before his current position, Bryan has been a consummate servant-leader in many roles for PEP: Peer Educator, Executive Judge, Business Plan Advisor, Mentor, Character Coach, Transition Coordinator, Case Manager, and Executive Relations Manager to name a few. He has also been a conduit of innovation, wise stewardship, and fun when performing other tasks such as property manager, eSchool instructor, public speaker, event coordinator, volunteer recruiter, fundraiser, and friend-raiser.

Bryan has been a part of our organization since 2007 and graduated with Class 21 at the Cleveland Unit where he was voted “Mr. PEP.” He joined our staff shortly after his fresh start in 2014 and has earned his way up the ladder of our family with integrity and execution. Bryan knows well both sides of the fence and can bridge the razor wire gap—and communicate a message of hope and love—as well as anyone. PEP’s 10 Driving Values are definitely in his DNA.

Bryan has a BS in psychology from Sam Houston State University. He has been a business owner and is currently serving on the governing board of another nonprofit organization that helps released felons secure much-needed clothing upon release. He is an active member of Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas, where he volunteers on the External Focus Team, specializing in prison ministry. He has also become a passionate prison-reform advocate giving voice to those who wear the scarlet letter of ex-felon. Each day, Bryan models the blessed hope of what it can mean when one lives out the mission of PEP.

Bryan Kelley Interview on The Texas Standard – January 5, 2021

Chief Operating Officer

Phi Tran serves as Chief Operating Officer. Phi is PEP’s longest serving employee, integral in the creation of the program’s back-end services (financial management, receipting, audits, database and technology systems, etc.) He is primarily responsible for building out and managing all of our re-entry and reintegration services.

Phi has worked for PEP since October 2004 and has served in many different capacities over the last six years, beginning with design and development of a comprehensive database for case management. He actively manages PEP’s in-prison programs as well as chairing all of management meetings for the organization.

Phi brings to PEP a diverse entrepreneurial background with multiple successful ventures in industries ranging from technology distribution to entertainment. He was the founder and owner of JDP Production, an organizer of entertainment events. Previously, he founded and owned a company called Panorama, a storefront selling Japanese animation products. The business rented videos to a 600-member customer base and sold related products, generating monthly sales of up to $30,000 over two years. Phi holds a Bachelors Degree in Accounting at the University of Houston.

Chief Administrative Officer

Tim Hamilton serves as Chief Administrative Officer and is responsible for the management and strategy at PEP. Previously PEP held the title of Chief Financial Officer for PEP and has worked in public accounting, both with a national firm and with a sole practitioner. In both practices, Tim’s client base was almost entirely entrepreneurial businesses – owners who need hands-on financial expertise to solve day-to-day problems including financing, bonding, accounting controls and automated systems.

He has also worked as a small business consultant in the Dallas Minority Business Development Center, a U.S. Department of Commerce initiative. Tim owns Rock Pointe Financial Services to provide accounting and financial services to individuals and small businesses. Both with unit campus teaching and post-release consulting, Tim’s personal and financial experiences are a great match with our participants’ needs. Tim holds BS and MS degrees in Accounting from the University of North Texas and received his CPA license in 1986.

Executive Relations Manager – Houston

Joshua serves as the Executive Relations Manager of PEP in Houston. Joshua has a tremendous heart to serve and has passionately been working in Houston’s non-profit community since 2016. Joshua attributes his success in connecting with others and building relationships to his time in the restaurant and hospitality industry and in sales and operations management.  He also worked as a PEP Transition Coordinator and Reentry Manager.

Joshua graduated from PEP in 2016. It was during this time he discovered his true purpose was to help those around him. He quickly saw the genuine passion and love that is generated from every single Executive Volunteer, thus triggering an awakening and allowed him to realize exactly what his true calling is.

Executive Relations Manager – Dallas

Mercury Bynum is a dedicated executive leader with over 25 years of experience directing non-profit organizations, achieving successful mission-driven programs, promoting community development and involvement, and directing organizational growth and sustainability. As Lead Pastor of Limitless Church Dallas/Ft. Worth; Mercury has a strong reputation with churches and community leaders.

Mercury facilitated collaboration around re-entry for several years as part of his work with Movement DFW. His time as CEO of Remedy House Ministries in Athens, TX, gave him a thorough understanding of the challenges many will face after prison. As former Vice President of Strategy and Community Engagement Consultant for Unite Greater Dallas, Mercury was responsible for analyzing the levels of community engagement in the coordinated city transformation efforts and developing strategies and plans to take it to the next level; as a result, he understands the many complex challenges that our cities face. Mercury also served as Regional Executive Director for Prison Fellowship Ministries, overseeing ministry operations in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas from 2010-2016 and National Director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving from 2004-2010.