New Mexico forms corporation to help purchasing officials

New Mexico has formed an association to provide professional development, training, communication and networking for public purchasing personnel from federal, state and local government agencies. Named the New Mexico Public Procurement Association (NMPPA), the non-profit education corporation, is a chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing.

“The organization is a way to enhance communication between my office and state and local government purchasing professionals,” says State Purchasing Agent Les French. “We can learn a great deal from each other.”

Officers of the new association are President Melinda Via, State Purchasing Division of the General Services Department; Vice President Trinidad Morra, city of Albuquerque; Secretary Tom Trujillo, McKinley County; and Treasurer Sue Prentiss, USDA Forest Service.

The following city and state representatives were elected to the charter board of directors: Roberta Bruce, Hobbs; Terry Davenport, State Purchasing Division of the General Services Department; Daniel Diaz, Gallup; Pauline Gallegos, State Highway and Transportation Department; Lynette Singleton, Farmington; Joe Valencia, Rio Rancho; and Terri Waterfield, Ruidoso.

Seventy-four public purchasing officials attended NMPPA’s inaugural meeting last November. Currently, the group has more than 100 members. For more information, contact Melinda Via at (505) 827-0488.