The Public Purchaser. A Message From our President. The Newsletter of the Southeast Texas Association of Public Purchasing

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1 The Public Purchaser The Newsletter of the Southeast Texas Association of Public Purchasing Third Quarter Newsletter 2017 I had hoped to share wonderful information about the NIGP Forum and Expo, however, due to Hurricane Harvey I had to cancel my trip. NIGP was very understanding and will be pushing my paid registration to the 2018 Forum. Our third quarter meeting was the largest attended luncheon and an outstanding turn out to hear Fort Bend County Judge, Robert Hebert. His insight into Purchasing s role during an emergency activation was informative. As he stated, if you ever need additional information to support your request to your agency please let me know. Also wanted to thank everyone that brought a nonperishable food item(s) for the Houston Food Bank. Congratulations to the newly elected Executive Board of Directors: President-Veronica Douglas from HCC, Vice-President-Damon Harris from Harris County, Secretary-Jaime Kovar from Fort Bend County. Reminder that the Treasurer position is a two-year term and will not expire until December 31, I encourage you to run for a position next year or if unable to commit to the Executive Board please notify Veronica of your desire to Chair a committee or work on a committee. Remember this organization is only as successful as the effort we put into it. I look forward to seeing you all at the Expo on November 2nd, be sure to register or at our fourth quarter luncheon on December 7th. The last meeting for 2017 starts at 1PM not 11:30AM and we will be collecting toys for the Toys-for-Tots program. At any time that you have any suggestions or concerns please reach out to me. Debbie Kaminski 2017 President Debbie.kaminski@fortbendcountytx.gov A Message From our President Facebook - Instagram setapp.nigp

2 Member Spotlight Tywana Rhone Who do you work for? City of Houston Housing & Community Development Department What is your current title? Division Manager, Procurement Services How long have you been with that agency? COH 33 years/housing 1 year How long have you been in public procurement? 33 years What is one interesting thing about your job? I m delighted to have the ability to help provide single family home repairs, new homes and funding for various agencies. What was your most unusual procurement? Procuring guard dogs for the Solid Waste Management Department How did you get into public procurement? I was hired as an Accountant I for GSD/Equipment Services Division. The Manager was very impressed with my work so he asked me to supervise the Accounting and Procurement section. After the COH segregated the duties I was hired by PWE Procurement to supervise the automotive parts section What was your first job? Central File Clerk-Mobil Oil Company What was your first car? Ford Capri It s your day off, what are you doing? Exercising, visiting the country to visit my mother, family and friends and resting What do you like to do outside of work? Assist others, very active in my church, St Agnes March of Faith Ministries, sign in the Voices of Faith Choir, teach New Members Orientation class and road trips Tell us something about yourself that most of us don t know: I am a proud grandmother (a.k.a. Grand T) of grandson Dustyn Duaine, and soon to be granddaughter, Avaya Renell

3 SPECIAL PRAYER NEEDED DUE TO HURRICANE HARVEY Rufus Crowder, Purchasing Agent of Galveston County, had to be rescued by boat from his home in League City. He and his wife lost their furniture, photos, keepsakes, musical gear, etc. Their entire kitchen, bathroom cabinets and sinks and four feet of sheetrock have come out of the house. In addition, they lost both of their cars. Rufus as well as most of his neighbors did not have flood insurance since they were not in the 100 year flood plan. No one could have predicted a 500 year flood event. Our prayers and thoughts are with Rufus, his family and their neighbors. Rufus daughter helping during the storm as reported by the Galveston Daily News Before and after of front of Rufus subdivision as reported by the Galveston Daily News

4 THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT VOLUNTEERED DURING HURRICANE HARVEY Javier Garcia volunteered with his church organization, Mormon Helping Hands, This is the way the bishop told one story: Brothers today we had a very nice experience helping two families. Winston Roark told us that he was at his time of despair and knelt to pray that our heavenly father will send him help. We had just finished our first assignment with a neighbor family. And without asking, we're all headed to Winston's house. To see us all come and help him kneel and cry praising our heavenly father, which heard his prayer. We finished his whole house and threw out furniture and moldy sheetrock. Thank you team! Today we were the hands of the Lord.

5 THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT VOLUNTEERED DURING HURRICANE HARVEY Lorena Sanchez with the University of Houston Downtown volunteered with her local church by donation clothing, assisting in sorting goods (clothing, nonperishable items, etc.) and distributing to the residents affected by the storm. Veronica Douglas with HCC and her son Trey volunteered at a local church where they sorted donated clothing and household items. This church was not their own church, but rather a church they found that was looking for volunteers. LaTanja Bolden with the City of Houston not only volunteered with cleaning up flooded homes, but also with the Red Cross in their main office where they promptly put her in the Procurement Section to purchase goods needed for shelters and staff.

6 THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT VOLUNTEERED DURING HURRICANE HARVEY Tywana Rhone with the City of Houston participated in the recovery with her church family. They became an outreach center for those affected. They assisted with sorting donated items as well as purchasing items to give to families. They distributed perishable and non-perishable items, home goods, clothing, cleaning supplies, toys, etc. Their efforts were greatly appreciated and the event was named Labor for Your Neighbor

7 THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT WORKED DURING HURRICANE HARVEY Julie Blackmore with the City of Pearland worked at the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) during the hurricane. Most days she was the Finance Section Chief and then transitioned to the Procurement Unit. I know the City thanks you for all you did!! Maxine Carden who works for TxDOT has been and still is working at least 12 hours a day since right before the storm. She s tasked with assisting counties and cities with residential clean up, scheduling fuel deliveries, ice deliveries, porta potties, etc. Thank you Maxine for all you do for us!! Todd Reed and Jason Poscovsky with the City of Sugar Land both worked with the EOC but remotely as both were unable to travel outside their neighborhoods due to massive flooding. Todd was the Finance/Administration Section Chief and Jason as the Deputy. Sugar Land residents thank you!! Lesa Girouard and Natasha Stulberg with Brazoria County both worked at the EOC. They were both in the Resource Managers role. I know the County residents are grateful! Debbie Kaminski with Fort Bend County worked at the EOC for 11 straight days where she was the Logistics Chief. Fort Bend County thanks you!

8 NEED HURRICANE RECOVERY INFORMATION? Below are helpful websites Request disaster assistance from FEMA at Disaster Assistance.gov Want to volunteer to help? Contact Volunteer Houston Live in Fort Bend County and want to donate or volunteer? Contact Fort Bend Recovers

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10 SETAPP SANTA SETAPP would like to help a family with gifts this Christmas season. The family does not have to be in a particular income bracket as Harvey did not discriminate as he hit the Gulf coast. Recovering from a Hurricane is costly and costs will accumulate for months to come. Our goal is to assist a family in celebrating Christmas with minimal worries and costs. All you have to do is recommend a family (that you know). Simply send Ada Hernandez the name of the family and identify each member along with their age and gender (parents included). The selection process will be simple and fair. We will draw the name in a lottery fashion of the winning family. SETAPP Board Members will review the details and determine how to move forward with assistance. If the family wishes to remain anonymous we ll honor their wishes. We re not trying to brand a family or make their situation more difficult. We want a family to celebrate Christmas with ease and the support (not charity) of SETAPP. Deadline for submittals is Friday, November 10, CONGRATULATIONS 2018 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SETAPP members elected officers for 2018 during the 3th quarter meeting. CON- GRATULATIONS to: President - Veronica Douglas Vice President Damon Harris Secretary Jaime Kovar (HCC) (Harris County) (Fort Bend County)

11 Procurement Gone Awry The below article is from the Houston Chronicle Click link to read ad: Fajita Fraud Ad

12 2017 Third Quarter Meeting A big thank you to Fort Bend County Judge, Robert Hebert of Fort Bend County. Judge Hebert did an excellent job providing behind the scenes insight of Hurricane Harvey. Judge Hebert highlighted the unsung heroes (including Procurement Personnel) who work to keep things moving in a positive direction during and after a natural disaster. It definitely is a group effort.

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15 Upcoming Events SETAPP Expo & Roundtable Thursday, November 02, 2017 HCC SW College Auditorium 7:30 AM 2:00 PM 5601 West Loop South, Houston, TX you must register by Friday, October 27, 2017 / 5:00 PM. Should you have questions regarding this event contact Veronica Douglas at veronica.douglas@hccs.edu. To obtain 4 C.E.Us you must participate in the EXPO and Roundtable Discussion. This event is FREE and open to all public procurement professionals. You do NOT have to be member of SETAPP to participate. Please share this information with others. Fourth Quarter SETAPP Meeting and Toy Drive The next SETAPP meeting will be Thursday, December 07, Please note the start and end times have changed for this meeting only. This meeting will start at 1:00 PM and end at 3:00 PM. Location: La Brisa Mexican Grill, 501 N. Wesley Drive, League City, There are only 60 open slots for this event. If you attended at least one SETAPP meeting in 2017 your meal is free. SETAPP will be accepting unwrapped, gifts to be donated to the Toys for Tots Toy Drive. Registration is now open so register early.

16 SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST A VERY BIG, HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO DEBBIE KAMINSKI for serving as President of SETAPP for 3 years ( ). Debbie is one of the original charter members. SETAPP is a great success and strong in part of Debbie s hard work, commitment and dedication. You did a wonderful job as President, Debbie. We appreciate everything you have done. Be sure to give Debbie a thank you hug at our next meeting.

17 2017 SETAPP Officers and Chairpersons President Debbie Kaminski, CPPB Fort Bend County Phone: (281) Vice-President Veronica Douglas, CPPB, PSCMC Houston Community College Phone: (713) Secretary Jaime Kovar Fort Bend County Phone: (281) Treasurer Christopher Kaminski Harris County Phone: (713) Immediate Past President Alan Phillips, CPPB, CTPM City of Missouri City Phone: (281) Awards & Scholarship Committee Chairperson: Veronica Douglas, CPPB, PSCMC Houston Community College Phone: (713) Budget/Finance Committee Chairperson: Christopher Kaminski Harris County Phone: (713) Education/Certification Committee Chairperson: Debbie Carpenter University of Houston Clear Lake Phone: (281) Legislative Committee Chairperson: Lucy Felan Texas Department of Transportation Phone: (409) Membership Committee Chairperson: LaTanja Bolden City of Houston Phone: (832) Program & Facilities Committee Chairperson: Regina Spencer, CPPB City of Houston Phone: (832) Public Relations Committee Chairperson: Ada Herdandez Metro Phone: (713)