Advancing Procurement Professionals through Maryland’s Green Purchasing Specialization Program
This webinar is coordinated through a joint partnership between NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement and SPLC. Registration for this webinar is through the NIGP website (click on the "Register" button below).
The Maryland Procurement Academy (MDPA) provides training and performance support resources for Maryland’s procurement professionals, as well as vendors and suppliers seeking to do business with the state. In addition to content, resources, and educational materials, the MDPA develops training aimed at enhancing efficiencies, ensuring ethical behaviors, developing quality personnel, and supporting Maryland procurement for everyone.
The Green Purchasing Specialization is a voluntary training program open to all Certified Maryland Procurement Officers (CMPO) and Certified Maryland Procurement Associates (CMPA). The training is conducted annually, and covers climate literacy, the green marketplace, Maryland laws and regulations, and how to green a contract.
Learn how these programs are benefitting Maryland’s green purchasing efforts through education and how you can leverage their work for your own organization’s learning and development needs.
Presenters:
Shae Cronin, Chief of Innovation and Continuous Improvement, Office of State Procurement, Maryland Department of General Services
Shae serves as the Chief of Innovation and Continuous Improvement for the Office of State Procurement within Maryland’s Department of General Services, where he leads initiatives to enhance public procurement practices through process optimization, data analytics, instructional programs, and strategic innovation. With a focus on driving efficiency, sustainability, and collaboration, Shae is committed to improving procurement outcomes and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement across state agencies and Maryland’s business community. A graduate of Towson University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Shae is also a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, bringing expertise in process improvement methodologies to streamline operations and deliver measurable results.
Victoria Nellis, Green Purchasing Program Manager, Maryland Department of General Services
Victoria Nellis has been with the State of Maryland for over ten years, serving in different procurement related roles, and is currently the Green Purchasing Program Manager at the MD Department of General Services where she leads the statewide green procurement program. Victoria serves as the Chair of the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee, an interagency committee to advance sustainable procurement in Maryland state government. She has earned her Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), NIGP - Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP), Certified Maryland Procurement Officer (CMPO), and Green Purchasing Specialization (CMPO+GPS). She also holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Management from University of Maryland, Global Campus.
Carlesia Byrd-Evans, CMPA, CMPO+GPS, Account Executive/Procurement Officer Internal Procurement Oversight Division, Maryland Department of General Services
Carlesia is from Washington D.C. and graduated from Prince Georges Public School System, before earning a degree in Telecommunication Management from Howard University. She owned and operated C & C Product Service, Inc. for 26 years. Selling office products, computer supplies and janitorial products to the federal government and quasi agencies. During this time, she became a certified green company with ties to many manufacturers and wholesalers, putting her in the forefront of learning and transitioning to a greener government. After closing the business to pursue her dream of teaching, she taught personal financial literacy and computers at St. Charles High School. As a classroom and virtual teacher, she gained an extensive knowledge base of instructing and communicating with a large audience. In her role within Maryland State Govt., she audits and reviews procurements from all agencies within the state and makes recommendations on procurement reform and improvement.