Gloucester’s central purchasing department received the 2011 Universal Public Procurement Certification Council’s (UPPCC) "Excellence in Achievement Award" in the small agency category. Department staff members were recognized for their achievement at the Feb. 7 meeting of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors.

According to Nickie Champion, Gloucester’s director of financial services, the mission of UPPCC is to identify and continuously advance the professional standards that demonstrate competency in the public procurement profession. She said UPPCC certifications communicate to the taxpayer that the public employee who manages tax dollars has reached a specific level of education and experience and is knowledgeable about governmental purchasing.

"The ‘Excellence in Achievement’ award formally recognizes our Central Purchasing Department’s commitment to the value of certification in the public sector," Champion said.

Bill Lindsey, the county’s purchasing manager since 2009, has Certified Public Procurement Officer and Certified Purchasing Manager credentials. Last May, Gloucester’s senior buyer Bonnie Gail Holloman earned the title of Certified Professional Public Buyer.

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