Spotlighting Recent Successes: Recognizing and Celebrating Our Colleagues!

Procurement Services would like to congratulate the Procurement Services Key Contributor Award Winners as well as the Procurement and Expense Specialist Excellence Award Winners!

 

Procurement Services Key Contributor Award Winners

The 2024 Procurement Services Key Contributor Awards were presented to John Michel, Jen Wichers, and Carole Gill during an awards ceremony on April 17th.

This annual award was created to recognize Procurement Services Employees who have positively impacted the mission and vision of Procurement Services at Iowa State University. Including those who have made a significant contribution towards improving a process or procedure, have been an essential component in completing a complex project or solving a complex problem, have demonstrated dedication to cultivating their professional knowledge and expertise, have introduced innovative ideas, or have had a positive impact through their dedication to job excellence.

 

John Michel was recognized for being instrumental in coordinating the procurement of lab and research equipment and supplies for the new Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.  Late last year, while the building was still in the planning stages, John was given a huge spreadsheet of equipment and materials that were needed for the new building and went to work contacting suppliers for pricing.  He established lead times for items and communicated directly with the department when it was time to start entering requisitions and filling out forms in order to ensure that the equipment and supplies would be on site when they were needed.

As the project moved from planning for, to actually purchasing, it may shock you to hear that there were some changes and updates!  John was able to leverage his expertise in scientific research and facilities/capital projects as well as his organizational skills to navigate each of the changes and updates successfully.

Thank you, John, for being a Key Contributor to Procurement Services and the coordinator and conduit to all of the VDL staff, FP&M on this significant project!

 

Jen Wichers was recognized for impacting how our department is perceived by both our colleagues and visitors.  From the design and layout of our web page, flyers, and marketing materials, to the P-Card and T&H Card designs, to the artwork that hangs in the ASB conference rooms, Jen’s graphic design ability and attention to visual layout is evident.

Jen has provided templates to use for presentations and awards and has worked with University Marketing and Trademark and Licensing to assure that what we are doing in Procurement Services aligns with University Brand and Marketing standards.  Which can be more complex than one might initially think!

Aligning with University Brand and Marketing standards sometimes means that an additional round (or several rounds) of changes need to be made and Jen consistently handles these requests with grace, no matter how many there are, while still striving to maintain the original intent and purpose of the design.  She also brings any major change requests back to the whole team working on the item so that they know what has been requested, can help brainstorm solutions, and aren’t surprised by the final product.  She is always willing to mock something up so that we can “see it” and is open to feedback and changes.  She is willing to work with the team until we get to the final design or layout that works for everyone.

Thank you, Jen, for being a Key Contributor to Procurement Services and to having an impact on how department is perceived by our colleagues and visitors to Iowa State University.

 

Carole Gill was recognized for her instrumental role in the implementation of the financial aspects of the Procurement Services Gift Card Program.  Carole has managed the journal entries and returns since we started the Gift Card Program in the Spring of 2021 and has continued to ensure that Procurement Services is doing what we need to be doing as the program continues to evolve and change. 

Carole’s accounting and budgeting expertise is a critical component of the Gift Card Program, as is her ability to consult on the validity, appropriateness, and allowability of the requests that are received through the program.  There are a lot of moving parts in this process and Carole not only assures that we’ve captured all returns but makes sure that we are receiving the payments from the departments as well.

Thank you, Carole, for going above and beyond to make the Gift Card Program successful and being a Key Contributor to Procurement Services!

 

Procurement and Expense Specialist Excellence Award Winners

The May 2024 Procurement and Expense Specialist Excellence Awards were presented to Diana Keech and Kim Ness on July 23rd.

The biannual Procurement and Expense Specialist Excellence Award was created to recognize Procurement and Expense Specialists who exemplify one or more of the pillars of excellence in their work, including:

  • Taking Initiative
  • Assisting a Colleague
  • Providing excellent service
  • Utilizing a holistic approach
  • Engaging in relationship building

 

Diana Keech’s nominators spoke of her patience, helpfulness, and kindness.  One nominator said “I can't tell you how much I hate all things finance - it is not my forte, but Diana helps keep me from losing my head AND keeps me on the right path.  I appreciate her good humor and her patience.” 

Another nominator praised Diana for never making them feel like they are asking a silly question and a third nominator shared that not only does Diana help them with their problem or question, but that she takes the time to show them where to find information and forms so they know where to locate them in the future.

Thank you Diana for setting our colleagues up for success and exhibiting the pillars of excellence in your work!

 

Kim Ness’s nominators spoke of her patience, courteousness, and professionalism.  One nominator said “We are very lucky to have someone who is as caring, understanding, and PATIENT as some of us navigate purchase receipts that can be complex at times.”

Another nominator spoke of Kim’s ability to “answer any questions I have thoroughly and in a way that I can understand.”  A third nominator described Kim as “always readily available and responsive” and as someone who “always has answers.”

Thank you Kim for assisting our colleagues and exhibiting the pillars of excellence in your work!

 

From left to right, Cory Harms, Diana Keech, Kim Ness, and Jordan Tietz

 

Nominations are Now Open!

If you would like to nominate a Procurement Services Employee or a Procurement and Expense Specialist (PES) for recognition, there are several options!

 

Recognition Opportunities for Procurement Services Employees

The Procurement Services Employees eligible for the following awards can be found on the Staff page of the Procurement Services Website.

  • Recognition of Outstanding Service - This recognition was created to enable you to provide a quick shout-out or thank you to a Procurement Services Employee who exceeded expectations and provided outstanding service!
    • Completing the short web form is a great way to quickly recognize a Procurement Services Employee who has exceeded expectations, strived to create a positive interaction, took ownership to address the challenge or need, and/or responded in a timely manner, as well as to thank them for their efforts.
    • This recognition is provided to the employee approximately two weeks after the nomination has been submitted.
    • Nominations can be submitted at any time through the web form.
  • Procurement Services’ Key Contributor Award – This award was created to recognize Procurement Services Employees who have positively impacted the mission and vision of Procurement Services at Iowa State University.  Including those who have made a significant contribution towards improving a process or procedure, have been an essential component in completing a complex project or solving a complex problem, have demonstrated dedication to cultivating their professional knowledge and expertise, have introduced innovative ideas, or have had a positive impact through their dedication to job excellence.
    • This is an annual award with a February 28th nomination deadline.
    • Nominations can be submitted at any time through the web form.

 

Recognition Opportunity for Finance Service Delivery Procurement and Expense Specialists (PES)

The Procurement and Expense Specialists (PES) that are eligible for the following award can be found on the Directory page of the Finance Service Delivery Website. 

  • Procurement and Expense Specialist Excellence Award – This award is to recognize Procurement and Expense Specialists (PES) who exemplify one or more of the pillars of excellence in their work, including: Taking Initiative, Assisting a Colleague, Providing Excellent Service, Utilizing a Holistic Approach, and Engaging in Relationship Building.
    • This is a biannual award selected in May and November.
    • Nominations can be submitted at any time through this Qualtrics Survey.

 

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