UPPCC Expands Board of Examiners (BOE): Representation Extended to CAPPO, FAPPO, NAEP & NPI

October 31, 2006 - Today the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) announced that it had invited four collegial public procurement organizations to participate on its Board of Examiners (BOE). The BOE is the UPPCC body responsible for the development of the CPPO and CPPB examinations and for making decisions on matters relating to certification, recertification and revocation.

California Association of Public Purchasing Officers (CAPPO), Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers (FAPPO), National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) and National Purchasing Institute (NPI) were each offered the opportunity to recommend one representative to serve on the BOE. All four organizations have accepted the Council's invitation. With these additional seats, the BOE will be made up of twelve members; ten voting members and two advisory members. Three representatives each from the two UPPCC founding organizations; National Institute for Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) and National Association of State Purchasing Officers (NASPO) and one representative each from CAPPO, FAPPO, NAEP and NPI will make up the voting membership, while two advisory seats are split between the Canadian Federal Government and the Irish Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management. Each member of the BOE serves a three year term and can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms.

"We are so excited by the developments that are taking shape" said Don Buffum, CPPO, Chairman of The Council. "The Council's desire in expanding the BOE is to allow for broader input in the development of the public sector certification exams through the expansion of the BOE's intellectual resources. We also ensure the applicability of the UPPCC certifications to the entire public procurement profession."

All four organizations are working with their respective Boards and membership to select appropriate representation and hope to have those individuals in place for the January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2009 term. "CAPPO is pleased and honored to accept the UPPCC's invitation to join the Board of Examiners" said CAPPO's President Denni Baumer, C.P.M., CPPB. "Our association has a long history of commitment to certification.... the expansion of the BOE is another opportunity to advance our profession through certification and CAPPO is proud to be part of that endeavor." Echoing CAPPO's sentiment, NPI's President Pam Kirkland, CPPO, CPPB said, "NPI is very excited to become a part of the CPPO/CPPB certification process and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship."

Buffum added that "The UPPCC has made tremendous strides over the last few years in enhancing the CPPO and CPPB programs. These are four great organizations, committed to professionalism within the industry and we are certain that their input will help to pave the way for truly universal public purchasing certification offerings."

The Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) is an independent entity formed to govern and administer the Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) and Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification programs.

The CPPO and CPPB programs are highly regarded and respected among procurement professionals and employers involved in the public sector. To date, the UPPCC has certified well over 10,000 professionals primarily within the US and Canada as well as in other nations around the globe.