The Central Gulf Coast Chapter of NIGP gathered in Niceville on July 22 for an outstanding Quarterly Chapter Meeting filled with professional development, collaboration, recognition, and service to our communities. Members joined both in person and virtually for a day that reflected the strength of our chapter and our shared commitment to advancing public procurement.
We were honored to welcome Mayor Dan Hinkle, who opened the meeting with remarks recognizing the important role procurement professionals play in serving the public with integrity and transparency. Throughout the day, members celebrated another successful year of chapter accomplishments, welcomed new members to our growing organization, recognized professional achievements, and looked ahead to exciting opportunities for continued learning and leadership.
City of Niceville
One of the day's highlights was the presentation of a $5,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity Bay County, made possible through the tremendous success of our 2026 Reverse Trade Show. This contribution reflects our chapter's commitment to giving back to the communities we proudly serve. Way to go RTS agency attendees and vendors!
The chapter also celebrated the tremendous and record-breaking success of the 2026 Reverse Trade Show, recognizing the volunteers and committee members whose hard work produced record participation while strengthening relationships between public agencies and suppliers. Planning is already underway for an even bigger and better event in 2027.
Professional development remained at the heart of the meeting. Members participated in an engaging presentation by Amber Yates of Sourcewell, Integrity in Action: Practical Trust Building for Public Procurement, which explored practical ways procurement professionals can strengthen trust, credibility, and collaboration within their organizations. The chapter also announced several new educational initiatives, including monthly Learning Express Lunch & Learns, Connected Destination roundtable discussions, and a planned FEMA procurement training series designed to help agencies prepare for disaster response and reimbursement. Stay tuned for more on that!
Congratulations were extended to this year's chapter award recipients, Cindy Norton, Manager of the Year, and Claire Smith, Specialist of the Year. Thank you everyone who nominated and voted! Members also recognized Cindy Norton's many years of dedicated chapter leadership as preparations begin for her well-earned retirement.
We also recognized Heather Sutton from the City of Crestview on her acceptance as the chapters new Treasurer, with a unanimous vote. Please send her a congrats! Heather is an amazing addition to our Board and brings years of financial experience with her. Thank you, Heather! We're so excited about the future!
Thanks to Al Brady & Wildan Engineering for sharing with us a little bit about Wildan's Engineering services, and for providing an amazing Hawaiian BBQ lunch from Pounders Hawaiian Grill! Go check them out!
Wildan Group
Please welcome our newest chapter members; Derrick Neal – ECUA, Alexia Madion-Fountain – Escambia BOCC, Laurie Ward – Okaloosa Schools, Jackie Walker – UWF, and Kevin Lech – Santa Rosa County Schools!
As always, the meeting concluded with networking, open discussion, scholarship announcements, leadership development opportunities, and a reminder that our greatest strength continues to be the willingness of procurement professionals to learn from one another and serve together. After all, we are greatest together!
Speaking of growth and learning, we gave away FOUR! expense paid packages to the awesome NIGP Leadership Summit being held in Orlando Florida in February 2027! The drawing was open to all who attended the meeting! Congrats winners!
2027 NIGP Leadership Summit
The NIGP Leadership Summit is where public procurement leaders step away from the day-to-day to sharpen your thinking, learn from experienced peers, and return with fresh perspective, practical strategies, and renewed confidence. Congrats! to Wes Pavlicek, CeCe VandenBroeck, James Walters, and Dan Fuller, have a safe and prosperous journey!
From my heart, and with sincere gratitude, thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, presented, and supported this outstanding event. Together, we continue Our Procurement Journey—building stronger organizations, stronger communities, and a stronger profession.
Our next chapter meeting will be in beautiful Walton County Florida. We are excitedly planning this next chapter event and are looking forward to sharing more about what's in store for you soon. Thank you, Jason Cutshaw and Walton County Purchasing team, for hosting us!
In service and with gratitude,
James