NASPO ANNOUNCES WINNERS FOR EMERGING LEADER AND RISING STAR AWARDS 

The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) is pleased to announce the 2023 finalists for the Emerging Leader and Rising Star Awards, which were presented at the 2023 NASPO Annual Conference Awards Dinner in Atlanta, Georgia on September 20, 2023. 

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes public procurement leaders and managers with 2-5 years of experience who consistently inspire their teams to excel while improving processes. This year’s finalists were: 

• Andrew Hennig, State Purchasing Officer/Senior Policy Advisor, Illinois. Andrew’s innate ability to form relationships helps the agency achieve needed results, according to his Primary Member. While adhering to policies, Andrew brainstorms creative solutions. 
• Tosca McCormick, Procurement Policy and Outreach Manager, Texas. Described as a natural collaborator driven to improve policies and procedures, Tosca has demonstrated dedication to enhancing procurement efficiency and effectiveness throughout her division. She leads three vital teams in Texas public procurement. 

The Rising Star Award honors professionals with 1-5 years of public procurement experience who demonstrate future leadership potential and champion the profession. This year’s finalists were: 

• Thayne Pearson, Purchasing Officer, Idaho. Thayne is a thoughtful, strategic procurement professional who develops strong stakeholder relationships and achieves the best solutions for Idaho. 

• Heather Drymon, Purchasing Analyst, Florida. Heather leads by example, sharing procurement knowledge and providing excellent customer service. She is known as the expert on contractor sales reporting. 

Winners were chosen for each award, based on committee vote. The two chosen winners were Tosca McCormick and Thayne Pearson. NASPO congratulates these outstanding finalists and all professionals nominated for their exceptional contributions to public procurement. For a complete list of nominees, visit here. 

About NASPO: NASPO is a non–profit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members achieve success as public procurement leaders through the promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies. www.naspo.org  

Media Contact:  

Kate Davila
Director of Marketing and Communications, NASPO
[email protected]