May Membership Meeting.. Please join us on Friday, May 23rd, 2025, for our Chapter Membership Meeting: Join us for David M. Ross, PhD, CFE, CICA, ICMA-CM; President & CEO of 65th North Group presenting “The Critical Need for Reducing Fraud Risk Vulnerabilities in Local Governments”. (Minimum of 1 contact hour). Price is $15 in-person, including box lunch, and $0.00 virtual attendance. The Chapter Membership Meeting and presentation is 12:00 PM (lunch in-person), 12:30 PM meeting, and presentation at 1PM. Register at May 23, 2025 Membership Meeting and Presentation - Events - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP.
Vice President. Congratulations to our new Vice President, Luis Aviles, Assistant Procurement Services Director, with the Osceola Board of County Commissioners. Luis has been a Chapter Member since 2008, serving on various committees/task forces over the years. Thank you for stepping out of the shadows!
NEW Pro-D Opportunities Scholarship: Are you ready for a local, in-person experience? Join us in beautiful downtown DeLand, FL for the Specialization Certificate: Request for Proposals (RFP). This is a 2-day class, June 11 – 12, 2025. A $372 value. The instructor is Mr. Kirk W. Buffington, MLS, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, FNIGP, MBA, C.P.M.! Approximately eleven (11) scholarships will be provided. Register for the survey on our website Home - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP! You will need to log in to your account and be an Active Member. This survey closes on April 2, 2025.
Community Service Volunteer Event - Ronald McDonald House Baking Buddies. Saturday May 10th, 20-25, 12:30 - 3:30 PM volunteer event for Ronald McDonald House Baking Buddies. Members will make cookies, treats, fun snacks, or casseroles in our Ronald McDonald House kitchens, allowing families to enjoy something delicious during an otherwise stressful time. Located at the RMH Orlando Health Campus at 1630 Kuhl Ave, Orlando, FL 32806. Register at Volunteer Event - Baking Buddies at Ronald McDonald House! Location: Campus of Orlando Health - Events - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP.
Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show, Adult Special Event. Join us at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show, Orlando, FL on Saturday, June 7, 2025, 5:30 PM. The event is available for 1- or 2-person parties. $40 per person. Register at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show, 2025 Adult Special Event - Events - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP.
Reverse Trade Show. Join us on Friday, November 7, 2025 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld!!!
- Event Registration: Registrations for vendors, agencies, and the room raffle survey are located at Home - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP on the home page.
- Rooms: Scholarship points can be used for hotel rooms the day before and night of the event! A room raffle is on our website for Chapter Full Members that are registered for RTS full day and live 25 miles from the hotel location. The survey closes on August 31, 2025.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Contact me if you would like to volunteer for RTS!There are virtual opportunities before the event and in-person opportunities on the day of the event.
- Marketing Materials: Sample emails, a flyer, and QR codes have been sent out to the membership.Please use them to market for your vendors to attend.
Awards. Congratulations to the Central Florida Chapter of NIGP award recipients:
- Buyer of the Year – Inga Campbell Fegley, County of Volusia
- Manager of the Year – Rolando Melo, Orange County Government
- Volunteer of the Year – Heather Beaudry. Port of Oakland
Thank you for your service to your agencies, the profession, and the Chapter!
Nominations. Interested in becoming an officer? Call for nominations is this year. You are welcome to shadow any officer, come to board meetings, etc. Applications are available on our website and are due July 16, 2025 to Kristine Rodriguez at Rodriguez.Kristine@osceolaschools.net.
Mentoring Committee. If you are interested in being a mentor or a mentee, please contact Chair Fatima Calkins at Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at FCalkins@goaa.org and 407-825-2044 (office phone). Do you have questions or answers on procurement or Chapter matters? This is a great opportunity to build a relationship with another member! We are looking for both mentors and mentees.
Participation Scholarship. The log is available. If you applied for 2024 scholarship points, your points are calculated at $2.10 each. These funds may be used for your professional development!
Pro-D Opportunities Scholarships. Congratulations to our scholarship winners!
NIGP FORUM (In-Person)
- Marisole Ordonez, City of Sanford
- Damaris Nazario, Toho Water Authority
NIGP FORUM (Virtual)
- Arima Santana, Seminole State College
- Gwendolyn Jordan-McKinney, Orange County Government
- Inga Campbell Fegley, County of Volusia
- Selda Vasquez-McMahan, City of Palm Bay
NIGP VCON (Virtual)
- Debbie Feingold, City of Palm Bay
- Michelle Fort, Orange County Government
- David Harris, GOAA
- Wil Henzmann, Brevard Public Schools
- Lisa Kesecker, School District of Osceola Co.
- Jessica Martin, Flagler Co BOCC
- Zuzell Murguido, City of St. Cloud
- Sheila Nelson, City of St. Cloud
- Katrina Ponzini, School District of Osceola Co.
- Demetrius Shields, City of St. Cloud
Engagement. I want to encourage members to evaluate talents and strengths and identify if there are any committees or task forces opportunities that you would be willing to volunteer for in 2025. Committee chair, member, and RTS positions are available. We have much work to do as a chapter this year and we can benefit from having active volunteers. Please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the other board members with any questions you might have. Let’s make this year a fantastic year for your Chapter!
Thank you!
Tabatha Freedman, MBA, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB
2024-2025 President
president@cfcnigp.org