NIGP members welcomed into the winner’s circle at awards luncheon
In keeping with Forum’s racing theme, the two-hour event featured a number of moving moments for award winners and their colleagues. Throughout the proceedings, it was clear that public procurement is more than a profession – it’s a community and a family. The awards luncheon gave this extended family an opportunity to voice its support for those professionals who entered the proverbial winner’s circle.
Pacing the pack was E. Ray Burnett, CPPO, winner of the Albert H. Hall Memorial Award – NIGP’s highest honor. (Burnett received the award July 26 during NIGP’s opening ceremonies.) Joining Burnett in the winner’s circle for top NIGP awards were: Dr. Khi V. Thai, Jeanette Rennie, CPP, and Ron Watkins, CPPO, winners of the Distinguished Service Award; the city of St. Petersburg, Fla., winner of the Pareto Award of Excellence in Public Procurement; Barbara Johnson, CPPO, CPPB, winner of the Professional Manager of the Year Award; and Gayle Blankenship, CPPB, winner of the Professional Buyer of the Year Award.
The 2008 Khi V. Thai Research Scholar of the Year Award, a new award category, went to Dr. Keith Snider of the Naval Postgraduate School.
The 2008 Anne Deatherage Meritorious Service Award for volunteer services within the profession went to Patti Huth, retired, village of Lisle, Ill., for her professional and personal contributions to a major chapter affiliate.
Look for in-depth profiles of these and other award recipients in Go Pro’s December/January issue.