My Unexpected Journey from Unemployed to Public Procurement Leader

When I first moved to Florida 14 years ago, I didn't plan on ending up in procurement. I just sort of fell into this profession, and I am so happy I did. I genuinely love the work that I do as the Director of Procurement and Distribution Services for the School Board of Brevard County.

But I couldn’t have known where I would end up when I first started working as a temp in a school cafeteria. It was the height of the recession in 2010, and I was struggling to find work in accounting. I took whatever position I could find and was happy to find work at a public school.

As I worked part-time in the cafeteria, I started making connections within the school system. Within a year, I was able to transition into a full-time bookkeeper position, first at an elementary school and then at a high school, each for two years. Before long, an opportunity in procurement became open and it caught my attention. Perseverance is everything – I applied three times before finally getting hired as a buyer.

Growing as A Leader in Public Procurement

Over the years, I've been able to grow and develop in this field, even taking on an Assistant Supervisor role in our distribution center during the COVID-19 pandemic. I then spent two years working for Orange County government, which gave me valuable experience in the construction space, before returning to School Board of Brevard County in my current director role.

One of the things that has been instrumental in my professional development has been my involvement with NIGP at the local level, and then on the national level. I first got connected with our local NIGP chapter, The Central Florida Chapter, back in 2016 when a coworker invited me to help with the catering committee. From there, I just kept getting more and more involved, taking on roles like strategic planning committee, website liaison, and treasurer.

The NIGP Leadership Summit that I attended was a real game-changer for me. I was able to network with other chapter leaders and learn best practices for engaging our chapter members, which was a top priority at the time. We came back and implemented some new initiatives, such as hosting an annual family day and an evening dinner/show event for more personal member connections.  We also revamped the way we help fund scholarships to ensure the fund fully benefits our members. It has been a slow build, but we're starting to see more participation and a stronger sense of community among our members.

Advice for Up-and-Coming Procurement Leaders

There is no shortage of potential for leadership development in procurement. Here are a few pieces of advice I have for anyone looking to build their career and develop into a leadership role.

1. Find a mentor
   One of the biggest things I took away was the importance of finding a mentor. I've been fortunate to have two incredible mentors - my previous director and a retired CPO from another state that I was partnered with through the NIGP Mentorship Program. They've both played a crucial role in my development as a leader, providing guidance and support that has been instrumental in my growth journey.
2. Be open to opportunities
   If you want to grow in your career, you can’t pass up opportunities to get involved. A lot of people get scared off by the time commitment, but it is very manageable, especially if you start with smaller tasks. The networking, skill-building, and sense of community you gain are invaluable.
3. Embrace networking
   Speaking of networking, getting out there and meeting other procurement professionals is the best way to learn and develop as a leader. NIGP has all kinds of opportunities, ranging from Forum and Leadership Summit to NSite and even your local chapter. You never know who you’re going to cross paths with.

I'm excited to continue my journey, both in my role at School Board of Brevard County and with NIGP, and I know there is so much more to come. I plan on pursuing a mentorship role myself in the future to help others find their own paths in public procurement. My journey has shown me that leadership is not just about the destination—it’s about the impact you make along the way.