Hello Chapter Members,
May Membership Meeting. Please join us on Friday, May 23rd, 2025, for our Chapter Membership Meeting: Join us for David M. Ross, PhD, CFE, CICA, ICMA-CM; President & CEO of 65th North Group presenting “The Critical Need for Reducing Fraud Risk Vulnerabilities in Local Governments”. (Minimum of 1 contact hour). Price is $15 in-person, including box lunch, and $0.00 virtual attendance. The Chapter Membership Meeting and presentation is 12:00 PM (lunch in-person), 12:30 PM meeting, and presentation at 1PM. Register at May 23, 2025 Membership Meeting and Presentation - Events - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP.
By-Laws Update. We will vote at our May Membership Meeting on Friday, May 23rd, 2025 to update our By-Laws. The updates reflect a reorganization of the Board of Directors.
NEW Pro-D Opportunities Scholarships.
- 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
Included: Registration and Airfare (purchased in 2025) costs ONLY. Does not include hotel, extra travel, or per diem expenses.
Up to two (2) members, or as decided by the committee, may be selected for this opportunity.
- Name: Specialization Certificate: Technology Procurement Virtual Class ($520 value, 28 contact hours)
Dates: Monday, December 8, 2025, 8:00 AM until Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 5:00 PM Eastern Time: (3 days)
Format: Virtual
Up to ten (10) members, or as determined by the committee, may be selected for this opportunity.
Register for the surveys on our website Home - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP! You will need to log in to your account and be an Active Member. The surveys close on July 9, 2025. NOTE: This is the last day to register for the surveys.
Community Service Volunteer Event - Ronald McDonald House Baking Buddies. Saturday May 10th, 20-25, 12:30 - 3:30 PM volunteer event for Ronald McDonald House Baking Buddies. Members will make cookies, treats, fun snacks, or casseroles in our Ronald McDonald House kitchens, allowing families to enjoy something delicious during an otherwise stressful time. Located at the RMH Orlando Health Campus at 1630 Kuhl Ave, Orlando, FL 32806. Register at Volunteer Event - Baking Buddies at Ronald McDonald House! Location: Campus of Orlando Health - Events - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP.
Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show, Adult Special Event. Join us at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show, Orlando, FL on Saturday, June 7, 2025, 5:30 PM. The event is available for 1- or 2-person parties. $40 per person. Register at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show, 2025 Adult Special Event - Events - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP.
NIGP FORUM July 27 - 30, 2025 in Denver, CO (In-Person). Are you going to FORUM? Let me know, president@cfcnigp.org. There may be an opportunity for us to sit together during plenary sessions, award luncheon, meet up, and share ideas. Come see the Chapter display on Monday, July 28, from 1:30 – 5:00 PM and Tuesday July 29 from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM at the Procurement Excellence Showcase in the Expo Hall! We are showcasing work by Chapter Member Heidee M Santiago-Rullan, NIGP-CPP, PPA, CPPB, Orange County, Florida!
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.
- Rooms: Scholarship points can be used for hotel rooms the day before and night of the event! A room raffle is on our website for Chapter Full Members that are registered for RTS full day and live 25 miles from the hotel location. The survey closes on August 31, 2025.
- 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.
- Marketing Materials: Sample emails, a flyer, and QR codes have been sent out to the membership.Please use them to market for your vendors to attend.
Nominations. Interested in becoming an officer? Call for nominations is this year. You are welcome to shadow any officer, come to board meetings, etc. Applications are available on our website and are due July 16, 2025 to Kristine Rodriguez at Rodriguez.Kristine@osceolaschools.net.
Mentoring Committee. If you are interested in being a mentor or a mentee, please contact Chair Fatima Calkins at Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at FCalkins@goaa.org and 407-825-2044 (office phone). Do you have questions or answers on procurement or Chapter matters? This is a great opportunity to build a relationship with another member! We are looking for both mentors and mentees.
Pro-D Opportunities Scholarships. Congratulations to our scholarship winners!
NIGP RFP Specialization (in-Person)
- Jazma N Owens, City of Groveland
- Jennifer Deveaux, Volusia County School Board
- Maria Green, Seminole County BOCC
- Myra M. White, Volusia County School Board
- Ramandeep Mann, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, Kissimmee Utility Authority
- Celeste Trossbach, Volusia County School Board
- Cecilia Dominguez, Orange County Florida
- Ms. Heidee M Santiago-Rullan, NIGP-CPP, PPA, CPPB, Orange County Florida
- Rachel Horne, Seminole County BOCC
NIGP FORUM (In-Person)
- Marisole Ordonez, City of Sanford
- Damaris Nazario, Toho Water Authority
NIGP FORUM (Virtual)
- Arima Santana, Seminole State College
- Gwendolyn Jordan-McKinney, Orange County Government
- Inga Campbell Fegley, County of Volusia
- Selda Vasquez-McMahan, City of Palm Bay
NIGP VCON (Virtual)
- Debbie Feingold, City of Palm Bay
- Michelle Fort, Orange County Government
- David Harris, GOAA
- Wil Henzmann, Brevard Public Schools
- Lisa Kesecker, School District of Osceola Co.
- Jessica Martin, Flagler Co BOCC
- Zuzell Murguido, City of St. Cloud
- Sheila Nelson, City of St. Cloud
- Katrina Ponzini, School District of Osceola Co.
- Demetrius Shields, City of St. Cloud
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. 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