Members of the Tampa Bay Area Chapter of NIGP are purchasing officers, agents, buyers, managers and those associated with purchasing functions in the public sector.

Our mission is to promote excellence in public procurement through education, certification and technical assistance for those who spend governmental funds in the Tampa Bay Area.

As we close out the first quarter of the year, we take a moment to reflect on our recent activities and extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and participation in our chapter’s initiatives. Together, we have made a significant impact in our community, and we are excited to share some highlights and upcoming events that showcase our commitment to service and camaraderie.

We are thrilled to announce that this year, 41 members have been awarded scholarships to enhance their professional development! These scholarships will cover attendance for various educational opportunities, including one-day, two-day, and three-day classes, as well as participation in the FAPPO Annual Conference and the Forum. This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting our members in their pursuit of knowledge and excellence in procurement. Congratulations to all scholarship recipients! We encourage you to take full advantage of these opportunities to learn, network, and grow within our industry. Your continued education not only benefits you personally but also enriches our entire chapter.

March is not just a transition into spring; it is also Procurement Month, a dedicated time to recognize the essential role that government procurement agents play in our communities and economies. As professionals tasked with the acquisition of goods, services, and construction projects, you are pivotal in ensuring that public funds are spent wisely, ethically, and efficiently. Government procurement agents are the backbone of public service, navigating complex regulations and processes to secure the best value for taxpayer dollars. Your work directly impacts the quality of services provided to citizens, from infrastructure development to essential public services. This month, we take a moment to celebrate your dedication, expertise, and commitment to transparency and accountability in procurement.

During Procurement Month, we encourage all members to engage in professional development opportunities. By attending workshops, training sessions, and conferences, you can enhance your skills and stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in procurement. We are proud to support the education of our members through our scholarship program, which enables participation in significant events and classes designed for growth.

With your support, we can continue to provide valuable resources and opportunities for our community. Together, we can achieve even greater success.

Thank you for your dedication to our mission and for being an essential part of our Chapter.

Damaris Cordova, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, DCCM

2025 Chapter President

Congratulations to all the members receiving scholarships this year! We had 29 members elected to attend NIGP Forum in Denver, Colorado, or Virtual Forum. Five members will be attending the FAPPO annual conference in Orlando and 22 members will be registering for NIGP classes.

I encourage all members to participate in upcoming events and write articles for our newsletter to earn points toward next year’s scholarship.

Happy Procurement Month!

Kathleen Fisher, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP, CPCP

2025 Chapter Vice President

Greetings and Happy Procurement Month!

As of February 28th, The Treasurer's report shows a running balance of $51,990.05. Chapter funds are earned through membership dues, member luncheon participation, supplier registrations and sponsorships from the Reverse Trade Show, Trade Show ang Golf Tournament!

Chapter funds are used for scholarship reimbursements earned by our members for continuing education courses along with registrations, airfare and hotel accommodations for procurement related conferences!

Please be on the lookout for updates on all our events and Chapter information via email, text, chapter website, and our social media platforms.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA CHAPTER OF NIGP! As members, your participation and support are critical to the success of our mission. Your participation is a key component of the Chapter’s annual fund-raising efforts that supports the scholarship program, certifications, professional development, and educational development opportunities for its members.

Zsuzsi McGovern

2025 Chapter Treasurer

Happy Procurement Month and Greetings!

The Chapter Board has held three meetings in 2025: January 10, 2025, February 7, 2025, and March 7, 2025.

The discussions have included:

• Standing Committee reports from Treasurer, Professional Development, Membership, Programs, Communications and Social Media.
• 2024 Chapter Volunteers to be recognized at March 7, 2025 Luncheon.
• Golf Tournament.
• Scholarship points for NIGP – Mentorship Program.
• Reverse Trade Show volunteers, theme/logo.
• Course offerings for 2025.
• Voting for Manager of the Year, Buyer of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Warren Geltch Lifetime Award.

As our Chapter continues to grow, we would like to extend a thank you for your participation. We encourage you to continue sharing your experience as a Chapter member with other procurement professionals as well as your suppliers. Your participation is crucial to our success!

Sakha Reed

2025 Chapter Secretary

TBAC would like to congratulate Robin for winning the 2025 First Time Award for the Chapter.

TBAC would like to congratulate Steven for winning the 2025 Buyer of the Year for the Chapter.

TBAC would like to congratulate Stephanie for winning the 2025 Manager of the Year for the Chapter.

TBAC would like to congratulate Tara for winning the 2025 Warren Geltch Lifetime Achievement Award for the Chapter.

TBAC would like to congratulate Heidi for winning the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award for the Chapter.

TBAC would like to congratulate Tori for winning the 2025 Rookie of the Year for the Chapter.

Chairing an event for the Tampa Bay Area Chapter of NIGP is both a rewarding and challenging experience. Drawing from my role as the chair of the 2024 golf tournament, here’s a guide to help you navigate the responsibilities and ensure your event’s success.

1. Know Your Committee Members

• Meet Your Team: The first step in organizing a successful event is to familiarize yourself with your committee members. Take time to understand their strengths, availability, and enthusiasm for different tasks.
• Volunteer Commitment Forms: Ensure that each committee member signs their volunteer commitment agreement forms. This formalizes their role and sets expectations for their involvement throughout the event planning process.

2. Leverage Previous Experience

• Consult Past Chairs: Reach out to the previous year's chair or co-chair for any information they've gathered about the event. Their notes, guidelines, and experiences can provide valuable insights and help you avoid potential pitfalls.
• Build on Existing Knowledge: Learn from the successes and challenges of past events. Use this knowledge as a foundation to innovate and improve your event.

3. Utilize Your Co-Chair

• Delegate Responsibilities: Your co-chair is a vital resource. Assign them the role of secretary to manage administrative tasks, including scheduling meetings and taking notes (minutes).
• Schedule Regular Meetings: Start planning at least 90 days before the event. Schedule biweekly meetings with your committee members to maintain momentum and address any issues early on. As the event approaches, increase the frequency of meetings to weekly or even multiple times per week if necessary.

4. Engage with Board Members

• Seek Assistance: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from your board members. Many of them have extensive experience with similar events and can offer valuable guidance, resources, and support.
• Keep Them Informed: Regularly update your board members on your progress. This transparency ensures that everyone is on the same page and can provide assistance when needed.

5. Final Preparations

• Intensify Efforts Closer to the Event: As the event date approaches, your workload will likely increase. Use this time to finalize details, confirm logistics, and ensure that all committee members are clear on their responsibilities.
• Remain Flexible: Be prepared to adapt as new challenges arise. Last-minute changes are common, so maintaining a flexible approach will help you stay calm and handle any issues effectively.

Chairing a Chapter event requires organization, communication, and the ability to leverage the strengths of your team. By following the strategies outlined above, you can lead your committee to success, ensuring a well-executed event that meets the expectations of your attendees and the Tampa Bay Chapter of NIGP. Your role as chair is crucial, but remember that the collective effort of your team, board members, and co-chair will ultimately drive the success of your event. Finally, keep a positive outlook—believe in your ability to lead. Stay optimistic and encourage your team to actively engage and involve the Tampa Bay community, driving the success of your event with as much participation as possible.

Brent Sargent, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP, FCCM

Tampa International Airport

Procurement Agent

In October 2023, the City of St. Petersburg began a major transformation by adopting OpenGov, a cloud-based platform designed to improve procurement. The City’s old system was slow, hard to use, and made working with suppliers more difficult than necessary. It became clear that a better solution was needed—one that was easy to use and improved decision-making. OpenGov offered exactly what was needed, making the procurement process more transparent and efficient.

Since the switch to OpenGov, the City has seen significant improvements. Automated workflows have sped up the drafting, review, and approval of procurement documents, leading to better efficiency and cost savings. Supplier engagement has also improved, as the platform makes it easier for them to submit bids and communicate. Most importantly, OpenGov has increased transparency, giving the public better access to procurement information, and building trust in the process.

The transition to OpenGov required careful planning. The platform provided training for our department, and we also offered training to our end-users through webinars, hands-on sessions, and one-on-one support to ensure a smooth transition. As with any big change, some staff members were hesitant to leave the old system behind. However, with ongoing support and training, they adapted and began to see the benefits of the new platform.

In 2024, I had the opportunity to attend the OpenGov Transform Conference in Dallas, Texas. The event gave me valuable insights on how to fully take advantage of the platform’s potential. It focused on the importance of data-driven decision-making, improving collaboration between departments, and exploring future trends in procurement. These insights have helped me refine how we use OpenGov and prepare for the future.

Looking ahead, the City of St. Petersburg is committed to fully leveraging OpenGov’s capabilities to continue leading the way in modern, efficient, and transparent public procurement.

Tori Amerson

Procurement Analyst

City of St. Petersburg

March

3/7/2025 Chapter Luncheon Whiskey Joe's

3/7/2025 Chapter Board Meeting Whiskey Joe's

3/28/2025 1/2 Day Educational Symposium Virtual

April

4/11/2025 Chapter Board Meeting Virtual

4/26/2025 City of Tampa Paint Your Heart Out Volunteer Opportunity

May

5/2/2025 TBAC Golf Tournament Westchase Golf Club

5/9/2025 Chapter Board Meeting Virtual

June

6/6/2025 Chapter Board Meeting Virtual

6/13/2025 Reverse Trade Show Egypt Shrine Center of Tampa

July

7/11/2025 July Chapter Luncheon/Meeting Rusty Pelican

7/11/2025 Chapter Board Meeting Rusty Pelican

August

8/8/2025 Chapter Board Meeting Virtual

September

9/12/2025 Chapter Luncheon Rusty Pelican

9/12/2025 Chapter Board Meeting Rusty Pelican

October

10/3/2025 1/2 Day Educational Symposium Virtual

10/10/2025 Chapter Board Meeting Virtual

10/24/2025 Trade Show Raymond James Stadium

November

11/7/2025 Planning Meeting TPA Warehouse

11/14/2025 Board Meeting Virtual

December

12/5/2025 Chapter Luncheon Rusty Pelican

12/5/2025 Chapter Board Meeting Rusty Pelican

4/17 Tiffany Mays

4/24 Skip Williams

5/4 Lawanda Barber

5/9 Nicholas Toth

5/12 Damaris Cordova

6/17 Tyler Cotheron

If your birthday is in March, April, May and June and your name does not appear in this newsletter, go into your profile and add your birthday so we can celebrate you.

Collaboration - working collaboratively and providing impartial support to all members.

Responsibility - dedication and loyalty to our mission and purpose as a chapter

Teamwork - building on our common backgrounds and shared interests to the benefit of all members

Inspiration - inspiring our members to achieve excellence in everything they do

Recognition - acknowledging the efforts and accomplishments of all who volunteer their service.

We are guided by the development and execution of a strategic plan to increase our membership, foster professional certification, and promote partnerships with suppliers.

Email: info@nigp-tampabay.org
Website: https://www.nigp-tampabay.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TBAChapterNIGP
Twitter: @TBChapter