What AEP Award Winners are Saying

“As a first-time recipient, earning the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award is a tremendous honor for our organization. When we started this journey earlier this year, our goal was to determine how our agency measured up against industry standards. This recognition validates our team's unwavering commitment to implementing procurement best practices as well as our dedication to efficiency, transparency, and strategic sourcing. Receiving this award reinforces our desire to continuously improve, innovate, and excel in the public procurement field.”

-Amy Flack, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB, Purchasing Specialist II, Tampa Bay Water

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“Earning the AEP award has fulfilled a goal and a milestone in my career, one I’ve envisioned since learning about it at the very start of my professional journey. From the beginning, the award has represented not just excellence in our industry but a standard of dedication, innovation and an impact that I aspired to reach. Our team receiving this honor shows our persistence and passion for our profession.”

-Kara M. Daniel, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, Director of Purchasing and Distribution, The School District of Springfield R-12 (Missouri)

“Earning the AEP Award for the first time is an incredible honor and a proud milestone in my procurement career. As a department of one, this recognition reflects not only my personal commitment to excellence but also Barnstable County’s dedication to ethical, transparent, and forward-thinking procurement practices. It validates the effort behind building strong systems, relationships, and results—all in service to our Towns. I hope this achievement encourages other procurement professionals, especially those working small or solo departments, to know that their work is impactful and worthy of national recognition.”

-Jennifer L.V. Frates, MPP, MCPPO, Chief Procurement Officer, Barnstable County, Regional Government of Cape Cod

“Earning the AEP Award affirms that the City of Little Rock’s focus on transparency, innovation, and continuous improvement is hitting the mark. One example, the expansion of our P-Card purchasing program is a big success. By moving routine, low-value buys onto P-Cards, we eliminated stacks of paper requisitions, accelerated supplier payment from weeks to days and equipped every department with the improved means to track spending and compliance. At the end of the day, this award validates the hard work of our small but dedicated team and energizes us to keep raising the bar for the community we serve.”

-Vitesh Patel, Procurement Manager, City of Little Rock, AR

“The AEP application process served as a valuable roadmap for identifying process improvements and enhancing programs within the Fairfax City, VA Office of Procurement Services. Although our initial application was not successful, it highlighted the specific steps necessary to achieve recognition for excellence in procurement. Our 2025 application was significantly strengthened by the strategic actions we implemented to improve customer support, increase supplier engagement, and enhance overall operational efficiency.”

-Patti Innocenti, CPPO, Procurement Director, City of Fairfax, VA

“Receiving the AEP Award for the first time is a deeply meaningful achievement for our team. What started off as a simple conversation, turned into a tangible expression of pride that further uplifts the function of public procurement. This achievement wasn’t the result of one person or one project. It represents a shared contribution across many individuals. Our shared vision of “Best in Class” guided every part of the application process, and being recognized at this level proves what can be accomplished when you have a common goal. We hope our journey inspires others to raise the bar to highlight the value of procurement and strive for continued excellence through strategic improvements.”

Rosalia La Corte, NISCL-CSCL, MCIPS, BFA, Director, Strategic Sourcing, Strategic Sourcing and Vendor Services, WSIB Ontario

“Earning the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award is a tremendous honor for our team and a proud milestone in our commitment to procurement excellence. Being recognized by the National Procurement Institute acknowledges and validates the daily hard work and important contributions that the Procurement Team makes in supporting GLWA’s mission and goals. It affirms our core values of innovation, integrity, effectiveness, and transparency, as well as our commitment to fostering relationships with our internal business partners and our vendor community. Earning the AEP is a testament to our team’s dedication to upholding the high standards of the public procurement profession, and an inspiration for us to continue stiving to exceed them in the coming year."

Megan Savage, Vendor Outreach Coordinator, Great Lakes Water Authority

“The achievement of our first AEP award has increased the enthusiasm, camaraderie, and pride within my procurement team, and is already prompting brainstorming related to how we can continue to improve our practices. The award also satisfies and assures our directors, elected officials, and citizens that our agency is not just complying with state and local requirements, but is also on the leading edge of best practices and truly transparent procurement. “

Jennifer L. Hyde, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, FCCM, Procurement Manager, Indian River County, FL

What AEP Award Winners are Saying

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