New and Emerging Procurement Officers Program

Register for the NEPO FY 2026 Program

Registration deadline: October 17, 5pm

Connect with subject matter experts and peers in interactive sessions based on "real-time" issues, walking away with answers, plans and options to handle your day-to-day operational needs. Program content contributors include Center for Procurement Excellence, DIR, NASPO, and Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab. Participants commit to attending at least 6 of the 8 sessions in order to receive a certificate of completion, letter of recommendation, and a drafted press release.

Program Lead: Diane Palmer-Boeck

Program Details
  • 8 sessions - held monthly at NCTCOG in Arlington
    • 616 Six Flags Dr, Arlington, TX 76011
  • Lunches included 
  • Register NOW to secure your seat; pay later!
    • We will work with you to collect payment in FY 25, FY 26, or a combination of the fiscal years!
Schedule
  • 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Instructional Session and Open Forum Roundtable

  • Course Dates:

    • December 12, 2025
    • January 9, 2026
    • February 6, 2026
    • March 6, 2026
    • April 17, 2026
    • May 15, 2026
    • June 12, 2026
    • July 10, 2026
Cost

$2,050.00

50% refund for withdrawal before November 24, 2025
No refund for no-shows or withdrawals after November 24, 2025

Course Topics

1. Leadership Development Assessments
Provides feedback on strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Provides valuable information about how to drive success for you and your organization.
Provides insight on how you can bridge your leadership style with the culture of your organization to improve
views of management, increase collaboration, and sustain an overall positive performance.

2. RFP Process (Spec Development & Evaluation Process)

  • What does it mean to take a results-centered approach when planning for and writing an RFP?
  • Planning for your RFP:
    • Putting together a project team
    • Engaging stakeholders
    • Conducting market research
  • Writing your RFP:
    • Background and problem statement
    • Goals
    • Scopes of work and specifications
    • Evaluation criteria
  • If time permits - best techniques for evaluating proposals could be added on

 

3. Creating a Meaningful Vendor Performance Program

4. Procurement Laws and Processes
This will be high level overview - a finance expert give an overview of taxes, TIF's, PID's and
what funds dedicated to specific endeavors such as hotel/Motel taxes.

5. Contracting for Construction
Process, Project Management, Contracts & Forms

6. Creating a Process / Training Manual

7. Project Management
Beyond the procurement process

8. Critical Thinking
How important is It? Who needs to have it? And when?

9. DIR - Serving your Technology Procurement Needs
Learn about their full suite of procurement offerings from purchase options to contract management

10. Process Mapping for Success 
You know where you want to go - mapping out the best projects and processes to get you there!

Program Flyer

Past Participants
*Names and entities at the time of completion

Emily Adams
Collin College		Misty Farris
City of Rockwall
Eva Ramirez
City of Grand Prairie
Veronica Bradshaw
City of San Marcos
Joanna Golleher
City of Anna
Mindy Smith
City of McKinney
Kelsey Coffman
City of Harker Heights
Denise Hernandez
City of Southlake
Kristen Torres
NCTCOG 
Leila Cole
City of Waxahachie
Kirby Krol
City of Wylie
Christine Weems
East Texas COG
Rebecca Crosson
City of Stephenville
Angie Morales
City of Plano
Jeff Whiting
City of Marshall
Alton Dixon
City of Red Oak
John Padinj
City of Fort Worth
Mary Witcher
City of Rowlett

Angela Akins
City of Dallas
Steven Daggs
City of Seagoville
Amanda Reyes
Victoria County
Frieda Buck
City of Watauga
Ruyue Ding
Collin County
Katrinia Roberson
City of Ennis
Gregory Carrell
City of Lancaster
Ally Dobbins
City of Richardson
Willy Villavicencio
LifePath Systems 
Janet Carver
City of Haltom City
Stormy Johnson
City of Haltom City
Chantel Winfield
City of Grand Prairie
Adenia Clark
City of Dallas
Rashmi Kulkarni
City of Grand Prairie
Jocelyn Wittrock
City of Keller
Jennifer Cook
City of Coppell
Edwina Lane
Fannin County
Cheryl Womble
City of Lancaster
Christina Criswell
Collin County
Brent Moll
NCTCOG		Lonnie Yates
City of White Settlement

Joanna Ash
City of Azle		Adam Lanter
City of Lake Worth
Erin Roseman
City of Arlington
Rosario Castillo
City of Forney
Angi Mize
City of Grand Prairie
Kim Ruiz
City of Grand Prairie
Melanie Cornwell
City of Cleburne
Samantha Nelson
City of Royse City
Christy Russell
City of Granbury
Drew Flores
City of Nacogdoches
Michael Parrish
City of Plano
Briana Saldana
City of Corinth
Cynthia Hogue
City of Plano
Tracey (Ogurek) Epps
Denton County
Elizabeth Segura
City of Garland
Susan House
City of Mesquite
Kim Rivas
Parker County
 Kay Wilkinson
Town of Flower Mound
Craigan Johnson
NCTCOG
Myra Rogers
City of Mesquite
Ryan Williams
City of Mesquite