The Escambia County Purchasing Department has been selected for two awards by the Central Gulf Coast Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, recognizing members of the department's team for their dedication and leadership.
Interim Purchasing Director Lyndsey Stevens was selected as the 2023 Manager of the Year, and Purchasing Coordinator Abigail Raymond was selected as the 2023 Specialist of the Year, which were voted upon by members of the Central Gulf Coast Chapter of the NIGP.
Their selection at the chapter level also makes them eligible to submit for awards at the national level, which will be announced at the NIGP annual conference in August.
"I'm very proud of the hard work and dedication that our Purchasing team demonstrates every day for Escambia County staff and citizens, and these awards are a testament to Lyndsey and Abigail's leadership," County Administrator Wes Moreno said. "After a busy fiscal year 2023 with over $100 million in county projects moving forward, I'm excited to see our Purchasing Department help us continue to complete exciting projects throughout the county and meet our goals in the year ahead."
Stevens was nominated for her strong leadership and management skills, along with her ability to foster a positive work environment that empowers team members to succeed. Her impact has been especially noticed since assuming the role of Interim Purchasing Director, where she has significantly contributed to the success and efficiency of the Office of Purchasing.
Raymond was nominated for her dedication and strong work ethic, particularly in her new volunteer role as the chairperson of the Public Relations & Marketing Committee for the Central Gulf Coast Chapter of the NIGP. In addition to excelling in her regular duties as Purchasing Coordinator, Raymond has used her marketing expertise to elevate the chapter's social media presence and marketing materials.
NIGP has more than 17,300 members representing over 2,600 state and local agencies, with 72 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more about NIGP, visit nigp.org.
To learn more about the Escambia County Purchasing Department, visit MyEscambia.com/purchasing.
Left to right: NIGP Central Gulf Coast Chapter Vice President James Walters (Walton County), Treasurer Wesley Pavlicek (Santa Rosa County Schools), Escambia County Purchasing Coordinator Abigail Raymond, Interim Purchasing Director Lyndsey Stevens, and NIGP Central Gulf Coast Chapter President Robert Pacenta (ECUA).