News / Articles

Dear AZ NIGP Members,

Well, we made it through Procurement Month and partied like the rock stars that we are! I hope you enjoyed being recognized for all the great things you do for your organizations throughout the year! And what do you know, Major League Baseball season in under way, too.

Our Chapter celebrated procurement month at the March 18th Career Seminar I. The State Procurement Administrator and the CEO of Local First Arizona were well received and presented important procurement information that will benefit all of us. I enjoyed meeting OLD friends and forging new relationships. No one understands more about what public procurement is all about better than us and WE are FAMILY. We “show up” for each other.

During the Career Seminar, Evan Karl, City of Mesa was named Manager of the Year and Danielle Hartke, Department of Child Safety was named Procurement Specialist of the Year. Well-deserved awards going to outstanding individuals. Their applications will be

The Purchasing Exchange

This March, we shine a spotlight on the dedicated professionals who keep organizations running smoothly and efficiently- our procurement heroes!

Lost Our Home Pet Rescue was founded in 2008 as a grassroots response to the housing crisis that left thousands of people displaced and thousands of pets abandoned. Lost Our Home Founder and Executive Director, Jodi Polanski, worked as a local mortgage banker during that time and witnessed these devastating results firsthand.
Pets were abandoned in foreclosed homes, often without food or water. Others were forced into shelters—their owners having no other choice. With the second highest foreclosure rates, and the second highest shelter-euthanasia rates, Maricopa County was experiencing a crisis and no existing service was designed to address the needs of both people and pets.
Jodi was quick to recognize this urgent need and launched Lost Our Home Pet Rescue with just a small network of volunteers who were focused on helping the pets that had been abandoned during the housing crisis. Help and hope were on the way!