Page 13 - The EDGE Summer 2025

Bill became a member of the Capitol Chapter have been so important to us over the past several
in 1989 when he started his career at the State years.
of Procurement Office and is currently Chapter
President. In 2012, he began his journey at AASBO gives you the opportunity to learn from
VSMG and recognized that if he was going to your peers, see best practices in action, allows
be regularly advising procurement professionals you to share your insight and knowledge with
across the state, joining the Copper Chapter and others by presenting at AASBO conferences held
becoming active at the national level was a perfect in person and virtually, and AASBO members
fit. We currently have over a dozen procurement never hesitate to reach out to each other, share
professionals who are members of both chapters information without issue, and stay informed
for many of the reasons already discussed. Nearly regarding those important and “hot” issues
all Chapter members ultimately become national that affect school districts in Arizona. And as
members as well. members of AASBO, we’re also members of
ASBO International. At TUSD, we’re afforded the
The Capitol Chapter boasts many of the benefits opportunity to provide our entire district staff with
listed above and hosts a Statewide Regional ongoing professional development to continue
Conference and Vendor Expo annually in to increase our knowledge while allowing us to
October. The conference is an opportunity to see what’s being done around the world when it
attend professional development sessions and comes to K-12 education.
visit with nearly 100 vendors all in one setting.
Like the Copper Chapter, the Capitol Chapter If you’re interested in being a part of any of
hosts a Reverse Vendor Trade Show in the spring these other organizations associated with your
every year. Both Chapters also actively assist profession, have questions or want to maybe join
individuals in obtaining the same professional a meeting to see what it’s all about, please do!
certifications we both have. The benefits of Reach out to us and we’ll give you information,
membership enhance and expand on all the steer you in the right direction, and set you on
knowledge we receive from AASBO. the path to amazing experiences. Don’t wait, be

engaged and get involved today!
Because we’re all members of AASBO, what can
we say that you don’t already know? Whether Diana Kerfoot, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB, ACBS,
you’re in procurement, or in any of the other is Director of Purchasing for Tucson Unified
amazing fields or tracks that AASBO covers, this School District and may be reached at diana.
organization is the BEST! As we all know, school kerfoot@tusd1.org.
district rules, regulations, and statutes are a little
different than any other government agency. Being
a member of AASBO gave us the opportunity to Bill Munch, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB, is
not only learn where to find the rules but showed Procurement Compliance & Training Officer for
us how to understand why they are there and how VSMG and may be reached at bmunch@vsit.org.
to make sure we’re being compliant within our
districts. The connections and friendships we’ve
made, either inside or outside of procurement,

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