Past Presidents Page
Listed below are the past presidents of Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc.. All biographies listed are current as of the year each member was President of the Association.
	President Mark D. Raiford, CPPB, FCPM, FCPA
	Mark is currently the Purchasing Manager for the Purchasing & Stores Division of the Risk Management & Purchasing Department, City of Lakeland. He has over 15 years experience in both local governmental and private sector procurement. Mark has been a Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. member for 12 years, and has served the membership in various capacities, including committee member for the Trade Show and Banquet/Food Service/Entertainment Committees, Strategic Planning Session Coordinator, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Chair for the Trade Show, Advertising & Sponsorship and Credit Card Committees. He is a Charter Member of the Mid Florida Chapter of NIGP, and has served as Reverse Trade Show Co-Chair, Hospitality Chair, Secretary, Vice President, and is currently Chapter Parliamentarian.
Purchasing Manager Mark D. Raiford, CPPB, FCPM, FCPA City of Lakeland Purchasing and Central Stores Division 1140 East Parker Street Lakeland, Florida 33801 Phone 863.834.6780 Office Fax 863.834.6777 Fax E-mail  mark.raiford@lakelandgov.net
	2010-2011 President Johnny M. Richardson, CPPO, CFCM
	Johnny Richardson is the Manager of the Purchasing and Contracts Division for Orange County. He has worked for Orange County for approximately 16 years, the past eight years as the purchasing manager. His division manages the county’s procurement program, including all construction and architect-engineer requirements. He has a Master's degree in Management from Webster University and an undergraduate degree from Park University. He previously served on the Board of the National Purchasing Institute and has presented at an NIGP Forum. He also serves on the Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the YMCA Achiever Boards.
Purchasing and Contracts Manager Johnny Richardson, CPPO, CFCM 400 E South Street Orlando, FL 32802-1393 Phone: 407-836-5414 Fax: 407-836-5899 E-Mail Address: Johnny.Richardson@ocfl.net
	2009-2010 President Marian H. Pace, CPPO, CPPB
	Marian Pace is the Procurement Manager for the City of Punta Gorda and is responsible for all aspects of the Procurement function. Marian has achieved her CPPO and CPPB certifications through the UPPCC. She is the primary negotiator for all City contracts. Marian has been in the City’s Procurement Division for 25 years. She is a past president of NIGP’s 72nd Chapter Gulf Coast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers. Marian has been speaking to government purchasing associations across the United States, which includes: Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc., Gulf Coast Association of Govt Purchasing Officers, NIGP, and the State of Washington Purchasing Association about Disaster Preparedness and Recovery.
Procurement Manager Marian H. Pace, CPPO, CPPB City of Punta Gorda 326 W. Marion Avenue Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Phone:   (941) 575-3348 Fax:  (941) 575-3340 email:  mhowe@ci.punta-gorda.fl.us City Website:  www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us
	2008-2009 President Denise K Schneider, CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M., FCPM
	Denise is currently the Assistant Director of Purchasing and Material Control for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. She has over twenty years of diverse procurement experience and has worked for Orange County Public Schools, Children’s Home Society, LYNX, Demandstar, City of Oviedo and the City of Altamonte Springs. She is the past president (1998, 1999 and 2003) of the Central Florida Chapter of NIGP. She was the national NIGP Buyer of the Year in 1999 and was the runner-up Buyer of the Year in 2004. She has taught and facilitated classes at both the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. and NIGP conferences and continues to be actively involved in both NIGP and Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc..
Assistant Director Purchasing & Material Control Denise K. Schneider, CPPO, CPPB, CPM, FCPM Greater Orlando Airport Authority 8652 Casa Verde Road, Bldg 811 Orlando, FL 32827 Phone: 407-825-3843 Fax: 407-825-4020 E-Mail Address: dschneider@goaa.org
	2007-2008 President Cheri Alexander C.P.M., CPPB
	Cheri is a Pittsburgh, PA native and is currently the Purchasing Manager for the beautiful Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. She has over twenty years experience in the procurement field including the City of Punta Gorda and Lee County. Cheri has degrees from the Wheeler School in Pittsburgh and Barry University in Ft. Myers. She is a Past President of the NIGP chapter of Gulf Coast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers, Inc. and also Past President of the ISM/NAPM Florida Sun Coast Inc., and is currently active as a Board member for each chapter/affiliate along with being a chapter member of the Sarasota Bay Chapter of NIGP. She has served the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. membership beginning in 1991 with various committees, including Special Events, Casino Night, Banquet Committee, and most recently with the Trade Show and Hospitality Committee.
Purchasing Manager Cheri J. Alexander, C.P.M., CPPB Sarasota Manatee Airport Auth. 6000 Airport Circle Sarasota, FL 34243-2105 Phone: 941-359-5200 x4246 Fax: 941-359-5055 E-Mail Address: cheri.alexander@srq-airport.com
	2006-2007 President David Nash, CPPO, CPPB
	David Nash is a south Florida native and has been employed by the City of Fort Lauderdale since 1989. He currently holds the position of Procurement Specialist II with responsibility for the procurement of all goods and services for the Utilities Division of the Public Works Department. David retired as a Warrant Officer from the United States Army in 1988. He holds bachelors and masters degrees in business administration and is a Certified Public Purchasing Officer, as well as a Certified Professional Public Buyer. David is a Past President of the Governmental Purchasing Association of SE Florida, where he led a successful merger with the Southeast Florida Chapter of NIGP in 2001. He has been very active in that chapter, serving three years as Time & Place Chair, four years on the Reverse Trade Show Committee and as Nominating Chair in 2002. David has been very active in Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. as well. He served as a photographer at the 1998 Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. Conference. He coordinated the printing and assembly of all conference binders for the 2000 and 2001 Conferences. He served on the Trade Show committee for the 2001 Conference and as Banquet Co-Chair for the 2003 Conference.
Procurement Specialist II David E. Nash CPPO, CPPB City of Ft. Lauderdale 100 N Andrews Ave., Room 619 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301-1016 Phone: 954-828-7816 Fax: 954-828-7897 E-Mail Address: dnash@fortlauderdale.gov
	2005-2006 President Russ Wetherington, CPPB, CPCM
	Russ is currently the Deputy Director, Central Services at the Polk County Sheriff's Office. He has been in the Purchasing field for over 25 years and is certified as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and as a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM). Russ has been an active member of Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. since 1995. He is the current past Treasurer for the past two years of the East Central Florida Chapter (ECFC) of NIGP and he was the Golf Tournament Chairman for past two years for ECFC. Russ was the first Executive Director for European Region of National Contract Management Association (NCMA) in 1988. Russ has worked the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. Trade Show the last three (3) years, along with being on the Public Relations Committee and First Timers Committee. Russ believes that if you belong to a professional organization, you should be actively involved in the organization in some way.
Deputy Director, Central Services Polk County Sheriff's Office 3705 US Hwy 98 S., Unit 14 Lakeland, Fl 33813-4269 Phone: 863-413-2882 Fax: 863-413-2918 E-mail: rwetherington@polksheriff.org
	2004-2005 President Alan Weaver, CPPB
	Alan Weaver is currently employed by the St. Johns River Water Management District as a project administrator, actively involved in the contracting efforts for many of their research and restoration projects. He has been recognized on several occasions as an outstanding employee for innovations in contracting, streamlining techniques, and efficiency. Before his employment with the District, Alan accumulated over 17 years experience in government construction as a project manager and estimator for several construction companies. He brings a wealth of construction knowledge from both private and public sector aspects. Shortly after joining the contracting team at the District in 1991, Alan began his association with Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. in 1992. He obtained his CPPB certification in 1998 and began to further his support of the organization by serving on the executive committee. As a part-time wedding photographer, Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. was able to utilize his talents in this area by having him serve as our official photographer."
Sr. Contracts Administrator St. Johns River Water Mgmt. Dist. P.O. Box 1429 Palatka, FL 32178 Phone:   386-329-4271 Fax:  386-329-4329 E-mail: aweaver@sjrwmd.com
	2003-2004 President Bobbye Marsala, CPM
	Bobbye is the Purchasing and Contracts Division Manager for the City of Palm Bay. She has over 20 years of experience in the purchasing field, with the past 10 in her current position. Bobbye has an Associates Degree in Business from Brevard Community College and a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Management from Warner Southern College. She has served the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. membership initially by volunteering her time in the registration area for several workshops and conferences. Her next step was to actively participate on the 1997/98 Membership Committee and progress on to the 1998/99 Professional Development Chairperson, and then to the 1999/2000 Trade Show Chairperson. In addition to being a Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. board member, Bobbye also holds membership in ISM, NIGP, and is active with East Central FL Chapter of NIGP.
Purchasing & Contracts Manager City of Palm Bay 120 Malabar Rd., S.E. Palm Bay, FL 32907 Phone:  321-952-3424 Fax:  321-952-3401 E-mail: marsab@palmbayflorida.org
	2002-2003 President Nora W. Laudermilk, CPPB
	Nora is the Procurement Official for the City of West Palm Beach. She has been a member of Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. since 1985 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1999. She has served as chairperson of the New Member Committee for 1997, 1998, and 1999. She has served as Master of Ceremonies for the Annual Banquet. Nora has taught many classes for the association including "Bid and Specification Writing". She also serves as a speaker for many organizations throughout the state. Nora served as chairperson for the Cooperative Purchasing Council of Palm Beach County for four years in the early 1990's. Previously she worked as a Buyer for Palm Beach County and the Purchasing Director for Hyatt Hotel Corporation. For a brief time in her early years she was a stand-up comedian doing two shows a night.
Procurement Official City of West Palm Beach 1045 Charlotte Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33401
	2001-2002 President Barbara Kuhl, CPM, CPPO
	Barbara is the Contracts Manager for Pinellas County Utilities. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa and has taken several graduate courses at the University of South Florida. Barbara began her purchasing career in health care as a Purchasing Manager and has experience in Materials Management, Contracts Management and as a Project Manager.
Contracts Administrator
Pinellas County Utilities
14 S. Ft. Harrison Ave., 6th Fl
Clearwater, FL 33756

	2000-2001 President Kirk Buffington, CPM
	Kirk is the Purchasing Manager for the City of Fort Lauderdale. He holds a bachelors degree from Florida State University and a MBA from Webster University. Kirk has experience in many areas of purchasing from receiving to project manager to purchasing manager. He began his career at Walt Disney World.
Purchasing Manager
City of Ft. Lauderdale
100 N. Andrews Ave., Rm. 619
Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 33301

	1999-2000 President Phonda Ledford, C.P.M., CPO
	Rhonda is currently the Procurement Director for Orange County Public Schools. She received her BA from UCF, is a lifetime CPPO, State Negotiator and State Certified as a Purchasing Manager. Rhonda has 28 years of Purchasing and Materials Management experience in City, County and Public Schools and has served as president of the Central Florida Chapter of NIGP, the Governor’s Task Force, and the UPPCC Board. She has been active in Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. for over 25 years and has worked on numerous committees. She was the recipient of the American Business Women's Association "Manager of the Year" award. She believes in the theory that people should strive to build on their strengths and not focus on weaknesses.
Director, Procurement Services
Orange County Public Schools
445 W. Amelia St.
Orlando, FL 32801-1129

	1998-1999 President Cheryl Olson, CPM
	Cheryl is the Purchasing Manager for Osceola County. She has over 13 years of purchasing experience and served as the Supervisor of Purchasing for Osceola County School Board for 9 years. She is a graduate of William Jennings Bryan College, Dayton, Tennessee. Cheryl is also actively involved with the Kiwanis Club.
Purchasing Manager
Osceola County
1 Courthouse Square
Kissimmee, Florida 34741

	1997-1998 President Kelly Loll, CPM
	Kelly is the Purchasing Manager for Seminole County. She is a recipient of the "Excellence in Public Service Award." Kelly began her purchasing career with Brevard County, and went on to become Purchasing Manager for Lake and Seminole County. Kelly graduated from the University of Central Florida.
Purchasing Manager
Seminole County

	1997 President Walter Pryor, CPPO Walter is the Assistant Purchasing Director for Broward County. He began his employment with the county in 1986 and soon thereafter he began his service with Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc.. Although Walter held several Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. chairs, his main interest was with professional development and held the Pro-D chairmanship four times since he joined the organization. The year of Walter's annual conference and trade show which was held at Pier-66, and the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale was one of Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc.'s largest and most successful. Walter was the first recipient of the newly-renamed George H. Wolf Distinguished Service Award (originally instituted in 1994) which he received at the 2004 Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale.
1996 President Don Wixon
1995 President Norma M. Showley, C.P.M. Norma was the heart and sole of the Association for many years. She served as President on two separate occasions. Her second term was due to the abrupt resignation of the President Elect immediately before the 1994 Annual Conference. Norma was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy.
	1994 President Wendy Geltch, C.P.M., CPPO, FCCM, FCPM, FCPA, CPPB, A.P.P. As President, Wendy led the charge to change the name of our Association from FAGPO (Florida Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers) to FAPPO (Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers) in 1994.   As By-Laws Chairman in 2011, at the Annual Conference she made the motion to change our name to Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials. She instituted and awarded the first Distinguished Service Award, and was also the 2001 recipient of the award.  At her direction, eight professional development classes were held during her presidency, more than any previous year. Wendy has served on numerous FAPPO committees, such as:  Professional Development Chairman, Membership Chairman, Membership Directory Chairman, By-Laws Chairman, Program Chairman, Spouse Program, Finance Chairman, First Timers Chairman, Historian, Nominating Chairman, Resolutions Chairman, Forms Board Chairman, and State-Wide Cooperative Purchasing.  Wendy currently represents FAPPO on UPPCC’s Board of Examiners. Wendy earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Human Resource Management from Barry University.   She holds seven professional procurement certifications:  C.P.M., CPPO, FCCM, FCPM, FCPA, CPPB, and A.P.P.  Wendy has instructed numerous procurement, contract administration, and certification seminars for FAPPO and as a Master Instructor for NIGP.  Wendy is also an active member of NIGP, NAEP, COPP, ISM, and NPI.  Wendy is currently the Secretary of the Cooperative of Purchasing Professionals (COPP -- comprised of the purchasing officials representing the 28 Florida community colleges) after serving as their Secretary, Vice Chairman, and Chairman.  She was named “Member of the Year” by COPP in 2009.  Wendy was the 2009-2011 President of NAEP-Florida Region.   Wendy was the Charter Chairman and Charter President of the award winning Mid-Florida Chapter of NIGP. Wendy began her career in purchasing in 1975 working in the Purchasing Department of the Alaska Pipeline (Alyeska Pipeline Service Company).  She currently holds the position of Director of Purchasing/Risk Manager for Polk State College.
	1993 President Bernadette Hitchins, A.P.P., CPM
1992 President Stu Beebe, C.P.M., A.P.P.
	1991 President Janet K. Sheehan, CPPB
	1990 President William M. Phillips
	1989 President C. Wayne McSpadden
	1988 President Norma M. Showley, C.P.M. Norma was the heart and sole of the Association for many years. She served as President on two separate occasions. Her second term was due to the abrupt resignation of the President Elect immediately before the 1994 Annual Conference. Norma was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy.
	1987 President Warren Geltch, C.P.M., CPPO, CPCM, A.P.P. Warren is widely known for his impressive credentials. He holds four professional procurement certifications and earned his MBA from the University of Tampa and a BA in Marketing from USF. Warren received the Distinguished Service Award from Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. in 1997 and was FAGPO President in 1987. Warren was the Charter President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of NIGP and a Charter Member of the South Florida Chapter of NIGP. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Public Administration for a public university, and has been a speaker at numerous NIGP Forums and Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. Annual Conferences. Warren is a Certified Instructor for NIGP and has instructed numerous courses and seminars for both NIGP and Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc.. He was a contributing author of the NIGP Public Procurement Management textbook and has published numerous articles in NIGP, NPI and Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. publications. Warren’s most notable contributions as an officer and Board member of Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. are distinguished by his continued emphasis on education and professional development. He was the first President to fully fund and implement an educational program through contracting for courses with NIGP. He authored the procedures, and also implemented the first tuition reimbursement program for Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. members. He served tenures as the Professional Development Chairman and Trade Show Chairman. As By-Laws Chairman, he authored five of the current By-Laws articles and revised major portions of the remaining articles.
1986 President Jeanne Minnock, C.P.M.
1985 President James W. (Buddy) Crosby, C.P.M.
1984 President Ken Trufant, CPPO
1983 President Gary Knuckles / Pat Lemoyne, C.P.M.
	1982 President George Harman
	1981 President Charles Bruso, C.P.M.
1980 President Burrel Sumner
1979 President Wes Budziszewski
1978 President Leila Collins, C.P.M.
	1977 President Edward Caldwell
	1976 President George Wolf, C.P.M. George was one of the founding fathers of FAGPO (now Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc.). George was a mentor to numerous Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. members. In 1994 he was the first recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, and in 2004, the Award was re-named in his honor.
	1975 President Robert Gerkin, C.P.M.
1974 President Arthur Dobay
1973 President William Farris
1972 President Pat Lemoyne, C.P.M. Pat was one of the founding fathers of FAGPO (now Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc.). Pat served as President on two separate occasions. Pat was also a past president of the Gulf Coast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers, as well as an active member in the Southeast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers, NPI and NAPM (now ISM). Pat was a “doer” and was actively involved in professional procurement associations. He had a warm friendly personality that made us all enjoy knowing him.
1971 President Alton Strong
1970 President Robert DeBolt
1968 & 1969 President Robert Lowery, C.P.M., CPPO