Don’t blink

If I were to give a short bit of advice to today’s procurement workforce, it would have to be “don’t blink.” The time spent in a rewarding career will go by faster than you think. 

If you think that sounds like a country song, you would be correct. We often listen to Kenny Chesney in our home, including his song about a 100-year-old man reflecting on his life.

I would tell Alyssa Ellington of Ada County, Idaho, to keep doing what she is doing. She demonstrated tremendous leadership early in her career, which resulted in her rise to management at an incredibly young age. Alyssa also finds time to volunteer for the local NIGP chapter, serving in various capacities to help others in the procurement profession. She is currently the events chair for the Idaho Public Procurement Association. Alyssa, the sky’s the limit for you; your commitment and skills will take you anywhere you want to go.

Jeremy Carrier is a procurement specialist for Linn County, Ore., where he has continued to grow professionally over the past several years. Jeremy now is the time to take a class you are interested in to build your procurement skills or pursue the professional certification program that is right for you. Time will pass by quickly and you will be closer to the end of your career than the beginning. It will go faster than the years since you were 21 and I took you to your first cowboy bar. Soon, you will be mentoring others in the profession and play a key role in their success.

A tremendous role model for our newer generation is Emmanuel Amunga, who parlayed his university degree into a professional procurement position in my hometown of Portland, Ore. He began his career mastering fundamental tasks in public procurement, but his potential was apparent. Emmanuel is now a senior procurement specialist for the city of Portland. His knowledge of construction contracting practices and commitment to equity and inclusion, make him an invaluable resource. Emmanuel, I encourage you to keep following your heart and to continue making a difference in your community.

I often say that our procurement profession is in good hands with younger people like Alyssa, Jeremy, and Emmanuel. They represent the best in our business and instill in me confidence that the future is bright for public procurement. As older people like me (ouch, I admitted to being old) leave the profession, our current and future professionals are prepared to step up and take public procurement to new levels.

All that said, your time in procurement will go by quicker than you think. Don’t blink.