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Like the mythical phoenix rising up from its ashes, the former Ark-La-Tex Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) was reborn as the North Louisiana Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc (NLANIGP). Our chapter began its first organizational meetings in August of 2004 under the watchful eye of purchasing legend and former Ark-La-Tex Chapter President, Stephen J. Westbrook, CPPO, CPPB. In a ceremony at our first official meeting in January 2005, NIGP President, Ronald L. Watkins, CPPO, presented the official charter to NLANIGP President, John G. “Jack” Adger, CPPO, CPPB. Forward from the time of that momentous occasion, the North Louisiana Chapter of NIGP has striven to accomplish its mission of promoting professionalism in public procurement and providing educational and networking opportunities to purchasing professionals throughout North Louisiana. We host educational seminars at least once per quarter. These seminars are generally hosted in cities throughout our region such as Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, Alexandria, Natchitoches, and Ruston. Our winter seminar provides two days of workshops and networking sessions often presented by NIGP Board Members and Instructors; introduces our chapter officers for installation; and announces the recipients of the coveted Buyer and Manager of the Year awards. In the fall of each year, we host a seminar on the Louisiana Public Bid Law presented by a representative of the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana. In 2007, NLANIGP President, Richard Wilkinson, CPPB, CLSBO, teamed our chapter with government business assistance organizations to conduct an annual government procurement conference and reverse vendor trade show each spring. This event has quickly become the premier economic development opportunity for North Louisiana Businesses by providing easy access to government agencies and federal government prime contractors. The membership is well over sixty members and still growing! In the first four years, our chapter assisted eleven members in attaining the Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) designation and one member in attaining the Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) designation from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC). Over 25% of our membership is currently certified and we boastfully proclaim the only 4 active CPPOs in the State of Louisiana as members of our chapter! So if you are interested in public procurement in North Louisiana - anywhere from Ouachita Parish in the north to Rapides Parish in the center of the state, from Shreveport/Bossier in the west all the way over to Tallulah in the east; then the North Louisiana Chapter of NIGP has something for you. Click here for membership opportunities. |
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