Hello Chapter Members,
September Membership Meeting. Please join us on Friday, September 19, 2025, for our Chapter Membership Meeting to vote in the 2026-2027 Slate of Officers, and our Fall Workshop (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM). Joshua Higgins and Renee Lindler with NIGP Business Council member United Rentals present in the morning Beyond the Bid - The Hidden Value of Your Suppliers and Rent vs. Buy - A Review of Total Cost of Equipment Ownership and Ted Phillips with Osceola County presents Federal Compliance sessions in the afternoon. Price is $20 for four (4) contact hours. The Chapter Membership Meeting is at 9:00 AM and the Fall Workshop begins at 10:00 AM with Lunch at 12:00 PM. Register at July 11, 2025 Membership Meeting and Presentation - Events - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP. NOTE: For in-person attendance, the facility is undergoing construction maintenance so the room doors that open directly to the outside patio may be blocked at the time of our meeting.
NEW Board of Director Positions.
On May 23, 2025 Membership approved Bylaws revisions which included the creation of three new Council Chair positions for the 2026–2027 term. They are as follows:
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Member Council Chair (NEW)
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Membership Representation
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Focused on member satisfaction, provides representation to the membership, and oversees the Welcome Committee, Needs Analysis Task Force, Focus Groups, Marketing, and Mentoring.
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Talent Council Chair (NEW)
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Recruitment and Retention
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Human Resources branch for volunteer recruitment, nominating, volunteer evaluation, position advertisements, and student initiatives.
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Fundraising Council Chair (NEW)
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Fundraising Event Management
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Oversees the Reverse Trade Show, identifies new fundraising opportunities, and manages RTS committees, fundraising efforts, and community service.
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If you're passionate about making a difference and ready to lead, we encourage you to apply. Connect with current or past Board members to learn more about their experiences and the impact of their service.
Council Chair Nomination Timeline:
- September 19, 2025 – Applications due
- September 22, 2025 – Committee review & interview scheduling
- September 24, 2025 (8:00 AM – 11:00 AM) – Candidate interviews
- November 4, 2025 – Board considers and appoints recommended slate
- December 5 , 2025 – Board appointed slate presented to membership for confirmation vote
If you are interested in the new Board positions available for the 2026-2027 term, please contact Kristine Rodriguez at kristine.rodriguez@osceolaschools.net.
Chapter Check In: Join us virtually on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 12 PM for a Points to Progress Turning Engagement into Scholarships presentation and discussion! We will explore the Chapter’s Professional Development (Pro-D) and scholarship program and how you and your agency can benefit from Chapter involvement. Register on our website for this event! CFC NIGP Scholarship Program - Points to Progress - 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.
- 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.
- Hotel Rooms: RTS 2025 Room Reservation (book by 10/7/25) Scholarship points can be used for hotel rooms the day before and night of the event! The room raffle is closed. Winners will be confirmed and announced in the future.
2025 NIGP Chapter Awards. I am ecstatic to inform you that the Central Florida Chapter of NIGP was presented with multiple awards and certificates at the 2025 NIGP FORUM in Denver, CO.
- The coveted 2025 Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award for Membership for our Committee Bootcamp. This is the 3rd year in a row the Chapter has won an Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award!
- The highest Performance Standard Seal offered by NIGP, the Platinum Seal Award. We are one (1) of fifteen (15) Chapters that have achieved this level of standard! This is the 6th year in a row the Chapter has earned the Platinum Seal Award!
- A Certificate of Achievement for Highest Percentage of NIGP Members Award. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of our Chapter members also hold a NIGP (national) membership.
I am honored to serve as the Chapter's President alongside Vice President Luis Aviles, Treasurer Sean Hynes, Secretary Nick Canjar, and Presidential Advisor Damaris Nazario! Thank you to our fantastic leadership team and Chapter members for your dedication and commitment to our procurement profession!
Pro-D Opportunities Scholarships. Congratulations to our awardees!
- Name: Leadership Summit - Edge / Impact (up to $1,500 value). Courses may begin in the Fall of 2025. Dates: Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026 to Friday, Feb 20, 2026 (3 days). Format: Virtual and In-Person, El Conquistador, A Hilton Resort, Tuscon, Arizona
- Jessica Waldron, School Board of Brevard County
- Name: Specialization Certificate: Technology Procurement Virtual Class ($520 value, 28 contact hours). Dates: Monday, December 8, 2025 to Wednesday, December 10, 2025 (3 days). Format: Virtual
- Alvin Borges, Orange County Government
- Lindsey Hladik, City of Orlando
- Andrew Kokitus, County of Volusia
- Chuvala McFarlane, Orlando Utilities Commission
- Alfonso Segura, Orlando Utilities Commission
🎉 2025 Young Professionals (Under 40) Fall Workshop Raffle 🎉 Congratulations to our young professional winners receiving FREE IN-PERSON attendance to our September 19, 2025 Membership Meeting & Fall Workshop — valued at $20 and offering 4 contact hours! This opportunity is separate from the Pro-D Opportunities Scholarships program.
2025 Scholarship Deferment Survey. Do you have scholarship funds? The Chapter’s 2025 Scholarship Deferment Survey is open on our website! The five (5) question survey allows you to defer unused scholarship fund to the following year. The survey closes on December 15th, 2025. NOTE: This is the last day to register for the survey. Log in on the website. Go to Member Resources, select Surveys, select the 2025 Scholarship Deferment Survey. Complete the survey and submit response.
David Wheeler. We are deeply saddened to inform you that David Wheeler, Orange County Public Schools Senior Director of Procurement Services, passed away unexpectedly. David was highly engaged in the procurement profession contributing to his entity, CFC NIGP, NIGP, and FAPPO with events and on multiple committees. David touched the lives of many with his kindness, humor, caring, professionalism and unwavering love of family.
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 2025/2026. Committee chair, member, and RTS positions are available. We have a lot of 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