Page 14 - AASBO EDGE Back to School 2025

PROCUREMENT

BY BILL MUNCH
Customer Service in Procurement & PB&J Makes

the World Go Round

Bill Munch
This story is not about peanut butter and jelly. It's wait for my reaction, but I am in a heyday. I
about customer service and taking pride in a job got my PB&J! I tell the story over and over to
well done. my friends for the following year whether they
wanted to hear about it or not.
Anyone who really knows me knows my true
love is in PB&J. With all due respect to those Fast forward to 2023, same conference, same
who might be allergic to peanut butter, I just had lunch time General Session. I bore my table with
to relay this epic AASBO Summer Conference the story of my PB&J from the previous year and
saga for all those who can love PB&J, this time- lament I wish I could have another. The server
honored delicacy. comes to the table and asks if there are any dietary
restrictions. And someone at the table says, "No,

So it is July of 2022, and I am at the formal General but we have someone that would prefer PB&J."
Session lunch for the Arizona Association of The server exclaims, "He is back again!" Yes, it
School Business Officials Summer Conference at was Mara from the year before. Lo and behold for
this prestigious Marriott Tuscon Starr Pass Resort the second year in a row I have my PB&J!
and Spa. They bring out a beautiful salad which
I am quite wrongly not interested to eat, and the Now it is July 2024, I'm back at the same TRANSFORMING HEALTH CARE
server subsequently takes it away. conference at the same lunch time General Session
and once again bore my table with the story of When you’re with Kairos, here are some of the programs
The server, Mara, brings the main course of a the past two years of PB&J. I noticed Mara from your employees get at low or no cost
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potatoes anyone would be proud to devour. Once away from ours so I'm thinking, geez I can't ask Aware Health: Virtual physical therapy Teladoc: Telehealth with
again, I shun the meal. When Mara comes to her again this year. However, unbeknownst to me Quantify Specialty: Medical specialty dermatology & mental health
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remove my full plate she remarks, "Are you not one of my tablemates has already reached out to Carrum Health: Substance abuse therapy Fitness and gym memberships
hungry?" To which I reply, "I could really go for her and said, "Hey, we got a guy over here who AZGYN: Gynecology surgery bundles Weight loss management
Scottsdale Robotics: Joint replacement
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a peanut butter and jelly sandwich right about really likes PB&J. Can you help him out?" Sure surgery bundles Condition and disease management
now." I don't recall getting a response, nor was I enough I get a medley of PB&J, the likes of which
expecting one. is rarely seen in our lifetime. PLUS: Direct access to our award-winning
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And my thoughts quickly turned to dessert. This year, back at the same prestigious conference,
However, 10 minutes later Mara slaps the most I am ashamed to admit I get PB&J at not just one 888.331.0222
beautiful peanut butter and jelly on white bread conference lunch but two conference lunches. kairos@kairoshealthaz.org
and says, "Here ya go." She doesn't even really Who took care of me both times? Of course, it
was Mara, the epitome of customer service and

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14 THE EDGE BACK TO SCHOOL 2025 15