“Happy New Year!” or "We're Halfway There!"
However you look at it, time is flying and we are definitely having fun!!
From a Chapter perspective, I can’t believe that we are already halfway through the year. It seems like just yesterday we were setting goals for 2026, and now we're looking ahead to an exciting second half filled with opportunities to learn, connect, and continue building an even stronger Arizona Chapter.
Summer temperatures may be soaring, but so is the energy within our Chapter! We have lots to discuss so let’s get started!
One of our first opportunities this month is our NIGP National Webinar on July 21st, where we are excited to welcome Lori Noyes and Whitney Mugford-Smith, our Area 9 Ambassadors who will discuss the many benefits of being an NIGP National member. Whether you're a new member or a seasoned professional, I encourage you to join us and learn more about the valuable resources, educational opportunities, and professional connections available through your national membership. There truly is a treasure trove of valuable content available to National members so let’s unlock that content and take advantage of the job and career support that National offers.
The month of July also marks the release of our Chapter General Survey. This survey is one of the most important tools we have to understand what matters most to you. Your feedback helps shape our educational offerings, events, and strategic direction. Together, we can continue building an amazing Chapter that reflects the needs and aspirations of our membership. You will be seeing the Chapter e-mail invite the week of July 6th so please take a few minutes to complete the survey and make your voices heard.
While we're enjoying July, your Board and volunteers are hard at work preparing for a very busy August. Our “live action” Career Seminar II on August 4 at the ADOT Stack is shaping up to be one of our best yet, featuring an outstanding lineup of nationally recognized procurement professionals who will share their expertise on timely and engaging topics. If you haven’t made plans to attend, I encourage you to do so. It's going to be a fantastic day of learning, networking, and professional development.
And of course, here comes Forum! The grandaddy of all public procurement conferences to be held in late August in Columbus, Ohio. Our Chapter has always had a significant presence at Forums and this year we are tracking around 65 members who will be in person and many more attending virtually. Diana Landeros has set up a Forums Discussion Board on our AZNIGP website to help all of us keep connected for this annual event (Log-in>Member Resources>Forums). Check it out!
You will also be seeing soon the release of our proposed Constitution and Bylaws updates. These revisions represent months of thoughtful work designed to ensure our governing documents continue to support a strong, transparent, and effective organization. Please take the time to review the proposed changes when they are distributed. We'll discuss them during our Career Seminar on August 4, followed by a membership vote at our October Regional Conference. We have also set up a Forums discussion page on the AZNIGP website where members can post their thoughts and questions.
I'm also excited to share that your Executive Board recently made the decision to purchase live-streaming equipment to help expand access to our Chapter programs. Our members in Northern Arizona, and those who are unable to travel, will soon have new opportunities to participate in Chapter meetings virtually or tune-in to our new You Tube Channel to catch up on recorded speaker presentations, etc. Increasing accessibility has been a long standing priority for our Board, and we're excited to begin bringing more of our programming directly to you. Special thanks to Diana Landeros, Heather Hodgman, Jeremiah Weiner and Ted Stallings for their efforts in making this a reality.
Finally, I'd like to encourage each of you to consider becoming more involved by running for the Executive Board. Applications are currently being accepted for Vice President and Treasurer. Every successful Chapter is built by members who are willing to step forward, share their talents, and help shape the future. There is no bad time to serve – early, mid or late career – it does not matter. Wherever you happen to be, it’s always a perfect time to serve. If you've ever thought about serving, now is a wonderful time to explore that opportunity. Fresh ideas, diverse perspectives, and enthusiastic volunteers are what keep our Chapter growing and thriving. I know that making that decision can be difficult, especially if you are not sure of the responsibilities, expectations, and time commitments. So here is one way to gain insight without any commitments. Your Executive Board members - Diana Landeros, Jesse Atoigue, Marisa Lucero, Bill Munch and yours truly are available to meet with any interested member in person or online to answer your questions and share our perspectives on the ins and outs of serving at this level. So consider this a personal invitation to reach out, make contact, and clear the cobwebs on the rewarding opportunities to serve at our Chapter’s highest level.
As we reach the midpoint of 2026, I find myself reflecting on everything we've accomplished together and becoming even more excited about what's still ahead. We have an incredible lineup of educational programs, networking opportunities, leadership initiatives, and member events planned for the remainder of the year not the least of which is our Regional Conference that promises to deliver a whole new level of professional excellence.
So stay cool, stay engaged, and get ready...
It's heating up—and so are we!
I look forward to seeing all of you throughout the exciting months ahead.
Thank you
Michael Greene, CPPO, C.P.M.
AZNIGP 2026 Chapter President