Dr. Russell H. Jackson founded Decision Information Resources, Inc., initially
called R&L Research and Evaluation
DIR’s evaluation of the Texas Older Worker Demonstration Program was reportedly the
largest state research contract awarded to a private African-American owned firm
Began work outside of Texas for the New York State Department of Transportation and the USDA
Food and Nutrition Services
In Other News...
Apple launched the Macintosh computer
The first Oprah Winfrey Show aired
The U.S. Department of Education’s Drug-Free Schools Act funded various anti-drug
initiatives
1990 — A Decade of
Firsts
DIR...
Entered Small Business Administration business development 8(a) program
Awarded first million dollar contract
Implemented first mixed-mode data collection methodology using cell phones in
the field
90s
In Other News...
Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in prison
Google became accessible worldwide
American welfare system was radically restructured with the ‘Welfare to Work’
bill signed into law
2000s — DIR in the New Millennium
DIR...
Recognized as one of Houston’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Small Businesses
Implemented a national evaluation of programs focused on at-risk youth and underserved
communities in 36 sites
Launched computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) call center
Implemented first national survey in the CATI to support performance measurement in the
National Job Corps Program
Led national study using in-school child assessments and classroom observations
Dr. Russell H. Jackson received the Sar Levitan Advancing Research Agenda Award from the
National Association of Workforce Development Professionals
2000s
In Other News...
Barack Obama elected as President of the United States
Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone
The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law, expanding the federal government’s role in
education to close the achievement gap
Hurricane Ike directly impacted DIR, dislocating the Houston office for 6 months
The American economy collapsed (the Great Recession) due to the bank and mortgage crisis
2010 - Present — Expanding for the
Future
DIR...
Opened permanent office in the DC area
Built upon 20-year history with the National Office of Job Corps, securing two 5-year
contracts
Implemented first audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) survey
Expanded CATI and field capabilities – upgraded software and increased capacity
Announced transition plan, naming Dr. Sylvia R. Epps as the future leader of the company
2010s
In Other News...
Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area
Advances in digital technology increased cell phone usage and decreased the use of landlines
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) earmarks more than $90 billion for
education aimed at spurring K-12 education reform
Comprehensive healthcare reform became law through the Affordable Care Act
1984 — New
Beginnings
DIR...
Dr. Russell H. Jackson founded Decision Information Resources, Inc., initially
called R&L Research and Evaluation
DIR’s evaluation of the Texas Older Worker Demonstration Program was reportedly the
largest state research contract awarded to a private African-American owned firm
Began work outside of Texas for the New York State Department of Transportation and the USDA
Food and Nutrition Services
In Other News...
Apple launched the Macintosh computer
The first Oprah Winfrey Show aired
The U.S. Department of Education’s Drug-Free Schools Act funded various anti-drug
initiatives
1990 — A Decade of
Firsts
DIR...
Entered Small Business Administration business development 8(a) program
Awarded first million dollar contract
Implemented first mixed-mode data collection methodology using cell phones in
the field
90s
In Other News...
Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in prison
Google became accessible worldwide
American welfare system was radically restructured with the ‘Welfare to Work’
bill signed into law
2000s — DIR in the New Millennium
DIR...
Recognized as one of Houston’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Small Businesses
Implemented a national evaluation of programs focused on at-risk youth and underserved
communities in 36 sites
Launched computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) call center
Implemented first national survey in the CATI to support performance measurement in the
National Job Corps Program
Led national study using in-school child assessments and classroom observations
Dr. Russell H. Jackson received the Sar Levitan Advancing Research Agenda Award from the
National Association of Workforce Development Professionals
2000s
In Other News...
Barack Obama elected as President of the United States
Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone
The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law, expanding the federal government’s role in
education to close the achievement gap
Hurricane Ike directly impacted DIR, dislocating the Houston office for 6 months
The American economy collapsed (the Great Recession) due to the bank and mortgage crisis
2010 - Present — Expanding for the
Future
DIR...
Opened permanent office in the DC area
Built upon 20-year history with the National Office of Job Corps, securing two 5-year
contracts
Implemented first audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) survey
Expanded CATI and field capabilities – upgraded software and increased capacity
Announced transition plan, naming Dr. Sylvia R. Epps as the future leader of the company
2010s
In Other News...
Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area
Advances in digital technology increased cell phone usage and decreased the use of landlines
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) earmarks more than $90 billion for
education aimed at spurring K-12 education reform
Comprehensive healthcare reform became law through the Affordable Care Act
1984 — New
Beginnings
DIR...
Dr. Russell H. Jackson founded Decision Information Resources, Inc., initially
called R&L Research and Evaluation
DIR’s evaluation of the Texas Older Worker Demonstration Program was reportedly the
largest state research contract awarded to a private African-American owned firm
Began work outside of Texas for the New York State Department of Transportation and the USDA
Food and Nutrition Services
In Other News...
Apple launched the Macintosh computer
The first Oprah Winfrey Show aired
The U.S. Department of Education’s Drug-Free Schools Act funded various anti-drug
initiatives
1990 — A Decade of
Firsts
DIR...
Entered Small Business Administration business development 8(a) program
Awarded first million dollar contract
Implemented first mixed-mode data collection methodology using cell phones in
the field
90s
In Other News...
Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in prison
Google became accessible worldwide
American welfare system was radically restructured with the ‘Welfare to Work’
bill signed into law
2000s — DIR in the New Millennium
DIR...
Recognized as one of Houston’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Small Businesses
Implemented a national evaluation of programs focused on at-risk youth and underserved
communities in 36 sites
Launched computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) call center
Implemented first national survey in the CATI to support performance measurement in the
National Job Corps Program
Led national study using in-school child assessments and classroom observations
Dr. Russell H. Jackson received the Sar Levitan Advancing Research Agenda Award from the
National Association of Workforce Development Professionals
2000s
In Other News...
Barack Obama elected as President of the United States
Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone
The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law, expanding the federal government’s role in
education to close the achievement gap
Hurricane Ike directly impacted DIR, dislocating the Houston office for 6 months
The American economy collapsed (the Great Recession) due to the bank and mortgage crisis
2010 - Present — Expanding for the
Future
DIR...
Opened permanent office in the DC area
Built upon 20-year history with the National Office of Job Corps, securing two 5-year
contracts
Implemented first audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) survey
Expanded CATI and field capabilities – upgraded software and increased capacity
Announced transition plan, naming Dr. Sylvia R. Epps as the future leader of the company
2010s
In Other News...
Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area
Advances in digital technology increased cell phone usage and decreased the use of landlines
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) earmarks more than $90 billion for
education aimed at spurring K-12 education reform
Comprehensive healthcare reform became law through the Affordable Care Act
