Sharon Seekins Awarded NIGP's 2005 Top Honor

In an era when people move from job to job and city to city, the fact that Sharon’s first employer was her last employer speaks volumes of the stability and constancy of Sharon Seekins. With encouragement from those who inspired her, the 1980s brought progressive achievements for her as well as advancements within her local chapter – leading to the presidency in 1987.  In recognition of Sharon’s achievements, the local chapter nominated her to represent it during the inaugural award of NIGP’s Purchasing Manager of the Year in 1989 – and she beat out the competition.

Like many leaders, the chapter experience provided an excellent springboard to the national organization where Sharon thrived.  She was appointed to the NIGP Board in 1990 and then received appointments to several committees: Membership, Ethics, Diversity, Education, Constitution and Bylaws, Conferences and Exhibitions, Planning, and Building.  And she forged new territory as the first chair of the Chapter Relations Committee, culminating in 1996 when Sharon served as President of NIGP.

Sharon also provided ancillary work that contributed to the overall value and credibility of procurement - including serving on an automated users committee and the Bid-Net Advisory Board, working with the U.S. Conference of Mayors on the Buy Recycled Advisory Board, participating in the CAPS benchmarking study, and representing NIGP as our senior delegate to the International Federation.  With each appointment, Sharon strived for an equitable treatment of all through inclusion. 

Through it all, Sharon left an indelible impact on the profession in both her native state of Arizona and throughout North America.  After departing from the NIGP Board and receiving her Distinguished Service Award from NIGP in 2000, she took on yet another cause as the Chair of the LES Professional Development Foundation until she retired from the City of Mesa in 2004 after 30 years of continuous service.

Named in honor of the late Albert H. Hall, Executive Vice President of NIGP from 1944 to 1975, this annual honor is the highest award issued by the Institute. It is presented to career public purchasing executives who have been instrumental in promoting professional purchasing and who have participated in educational and professional development programs for the purchasing community.  During the spring months, NIGP will once again seek nominations for the 2006 Albert H. Hall Memorial Award via the NIGP BuyWeekly. [ return to top ]

Anne Deatherage Receives Meritorious Service Award

Anne Deatherage joined NIGP in 1972 and by March 1976, she was responsible for staff support of the annual conference and products expo functions.  In 1987, Anne received NIGP’s Distinguished Service Award.  In 1992, upon the retirement of NIGP’s Executive Vice President, Anne was appointed Acting EVP until a new EVP could be named.  Anne attained her Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) designation in 1995 and then again, in 1997, was appointed to assist the Institute as Interim EVP.

During Anne’s many years of service to NIGP, she not only managed the Annual Forum and Products Expo, but also served as staff liaison to the Honors and Awards, Finance and Budget Review, Editorial Advisory, Nominations, Marketing, Building, and Exhibitors Advisory Committees and served on the LES Foundation Board. 

Anne’s positive influence and optimism has played a major role in the success of NIGP.  Her ‘can do’ attitude and her leadership have impacted numerous NIGP members during her tenure with the Institute.  In establishing the Anne Deatherage Meritorious Service Award, the Honors and Awards Committee set a high standard for excellence for all current and future staff members of NIGP. [ return to top ]

Where are You on P-Cards?

In early September, NIGP will report the differences between the 2004 and 2005 surveys. [ return to top ]

Achilles to Host a SourceConnect™ Webinar – August 30th

In response to many requests for more detailed demonstrations of SourceConnect™, Achilles is inviting all NIGP member agencies interested in learning more about the service to register for the upcoming SourceConnect™ Webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, August 30, 2005, 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

To register, please RSVP by Wednesday, August 24th to rochelle.booker@achilles.com.  For further information, you may also contact the SourceConnect™ team via email: sourceconnect@achilles.com or phone: 832.553.5000.  [ return to top ]

If You Missed this Webinar the First Time – Register Today!

Back after a successful first offering, NIGP is excited to offer Effective Specification Writing - New Approaches! Better Outcomes!   Join Mike Bevis, CPPO, C.P.M., JD, for this three-part interactive Webinar on specification writing!  The first session will start on September 13th and will be a combination of lecture and practical application to create a great learning experience.  

During this Webinar you will explore the various types of solicitations enabling you to establish a process for determining the most suitable procurement methodology.  Mr. Bevis will cover the appropriate use of general terms and conditions.  He will focus on the different types of specifications and product descriptions as well as discuss the consolidation, packaging and presentation and description of requirements.  There will be a homework assignment!  Apply what you learned in the first two sessions and write a spec yourself!  Mr. Bevis will review all assignments prior to the third session! 

Here’s what your colleagues had to say after attending the April offering:

“Loved the three-part class and assignment.  Good format!”
Ratha Boggess, CPPB
West Virginia State Treasurer's Office

“Good information – even for an experienced agent”
Donna Wagner
Volusia County

“I did enjoy the homework.  It was my first time to create a charter.   It really made me think and dig for information!”
Amy Reeves
Hinds Community College

To register for this exciting Webinar, visit: http://www.nigp.org/educate/WebSpecWrit.htm

For additional information, email distancelearning@nigp.org or call 800-FOR.NIGP.   [ return to top ]

UPPCC - Certifications - July 2005

New CPPOs 
  
Georgia
Mary Eady, CPPO
Contracting Services Manager
City of Atlanta, Department of Aviation

Gwen Perry, CPPO, CPPB
Buyer I
Gordon College

Minnesota
Cindy Dahl, CPPO, C.P.M.
Senior Buyer
St. Louis County

Mississippi
Dewanda Johnson, CPPO, CPPB
Purchasing Chief
Boswell Regional Center

New Mexico
Eva Maldonado, CPPO
Purchasing Agent
Town of Silver City

Texas
Cheryl Pantermuehl, CPPO, CPPB
Purchasing Manager
City of San Marcos

Washington
Alyce Benge, CPPO
Director of Purchasing Services
Issaquah School District

Steven Demel, CPPO
Supply Chain Manager
Washington General Administration Purchasing and Contract Administration

Rebecca Eisiminger, CPPO, CPPB
Contracts Officer
Port of Vancouver

Clifford Field, CPPO, C.P.M.
Contract Manager
Washington State Liquor Control Board

Karen Fitzthum, CPPO, CPPB
Supervisor, Goods and Services
King County

David Gomez, CPPO
Unit Manager
Washington General Administration Purchasing and Contract Administration

Roger Kee, CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M.
Procurement Specialist
Community Transit

Béla Kovács, CPPO
Purchasing Director
Spokane County

New CPPBs 
  
California
Theresa Row, CPPB
Senior Staff Analyst, Assessor Department  
County of Orange

Florida
Donna Smith, CPPB
Purchasing Specialist
State of Florida

Cindy Talamantez, CPPB
Assistant Buyer
DeSoto County Board of Commissioners

Georgia
Sabrina Dolores Watts, CPPB
Watershed Manager
City of Atlanta

Iowa
Mary Niichel, CPPB
Central Services Administrator
City of Iowa City

Maryland
Mary Heckhaus, CPPB
Buyer
City of Rockville

Barbara Hufnagel, CPPB
Contract Administrator/MBE Liaison
Towson University

New Mexico
Michael Gentry, CPPB
Purchasing Agent
Mexico Department of Transportation

Nevada
Erin Hegarty, CPPB
Purchasing Analyst
City of Henderson

New York
Theresa Joseph, CPPB
Staff Analyst
New York City Fire Department

Ohio
Benjamin Jones, CPPB
Procurement Officer
Butler Metropolitan Housing Authority

Ontario
Lori Friesen, CPPB
Coordinator, Purchasing & Property Management
Norfolk County

Susan Hope, CPPB
Buyer
Regional Municipality of York

Oregon
Mia Cariaga, CPPB
Buyer
City of Eugene

South Carolina
Valerie Price, CPPB
Contract Specialist
Richland County

Texas
Steve Adrian, CPPB
Senior Buyer
City of Dallas

Lesa Hicks, CPPB
Buyer
City of Dallas

Virginia
Barbara Garris, CPPB
Senior Buyer
Virginia Correctional Enterprises

Shannon Jenkins, CPPB
Buyer Senior
Virginia Correctional Enterprises

Wisconsin
Patricia Tally, CPPB
Assistant Purchasing Manager
Social Development Commission

All certified and recertified CPPOs and CPPBs may be found on the NIGP Web site at: http://www.nigp.org/cert/certindex.htm  [ return to top ]