Feb 09

New committee to oversee strategy to better manage resources and control costs

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Strategic Procurement Transformation (SPT) project announced the launch of the Strategic Procurement Leadership Council (SPLC) as part of its long-term strategy to better manage resources and more effectively control costs. The newly formed council will support the University's procurement operations by overseeing key institutional procurement transformations and identifying opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.

The SPT project formed the SPLC after validating external reports completed by Huron Consulting and the procurement consulting agency AArete. The overall project is estimated to save Penn State approximately $45 million annually.

The SPLC, chaired by chief procurement officer Duane Elmore, will work with purchasing leaders from across the University whose units have delegated purchasing authority and with university representatives from academic leadership, financial officers and Commonwealth Campus directors of business services communities.

"The council will strengthen the communication and collaboration between Procurement Services and units with delegated purchasing authority," said Elmore. "I look forward to working with each council member whose wide range of perspectives and expertise will help us continue improving and maximizing Penn State's procurement operations, driving additional savings from the University’s spend portfolio."

The council will be composed of eight standing members and four rotational members who will serve for two years. Subject matter experts will work together with council members on an as-needed basis.

Executive sponsor:

Sara F. Thorndike, senior vice president of finance and business/treasurer

Chair:

Duane Elmore, chief procurement officer for procurement services, Finance and Business

Members:

Richard Bagley, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, Penn State Health
Courtney M. Dillon, financial manager, Penn State University Libraries
Kim Fisher, assistant controller and director of financial officers for the Office of the Corporate Controller, Finance and Business
R. Randall Geering, special assistant, Commonwealth Campuses, DBS
Christina Grozinger, Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology, College of Agricultural Sciences, University Faculty Senate representative
Daniel Heckman, financial officer, Outreach and Online Education
Tracy Langkilde, Verne M. Willaman Dean, Eberly College of Science
John Mondock, director of purchasing for Housing and Food Services, Auxiliary and Business Services
Melisa Peck, associate director of purchasing, Applied Research Laboratory
Todd Webber, construction and contract specialist, Office of Physical Plant