HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2015-08-12 Kathy Elgin NIGP Award
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release Media Contact:
Betsy Fields, Research & Communications Manager
bfields@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
Kathy Elgin, Leesburg’s Chief Procurement Officer, Honored
with Distinguished Service Award by National Institute of
Government Purchasing
Leesburg, VA (August 12, 2015) – At the annual
National Institute of Government Purchasing
(NIGP) Forum in Kansas City, Kathy Elgin, the
Town’s Chief Purchasing Officer, was honored
with a 2015 Distinguished Service Award.
The NIGP’s Distinguished Service Awards
recognize public procurement officials who have
made original and innovative resolutions to
critical procurement issues, contributed to
outstanding efforts which benefitted NIGP or
their organizations, or help to bring credit to
NIGP and their organizations with exceptional
contributions to the procurement field.
“Volunteering both personally and professionally
has been a big part of shaping me into the person I am today,” Ms. Elgin said upon receipt of
the award. “I am very thankful for all those who made these opportunities possible. I am
honored when I think about the world class professionals I have had the privilege to work
alongside. To be recognized by peers for doing something I truly love brings me a sense of pride
and accomplishment that I will take with me and treasure always.”
Kathy Elgin has been the Chief Procurement Officer for the Town of Leesburg since September
1999. Previously, she worked in purchasing for Loudoun County Sanitation Authority (now
Loudoun Water) from 1983 to 1999. Ms. Elgin is a Certified Public Procurement Officer and a
Certified Professional Public Buyer. Throughout her career, she has been active in national,
state and regional government purchasing organizations. She served on the NIGP Board,
representing the Commonwealth of Virginia, from 2007 to 2013, as well as on the NIGP Finance
and Policy Committees. She is a past president, vice president, secretary and treasure of the
Virginia Association for Government Purchasing (VAGP), served on VAGP Finance, Sales,
Legislative and Conference Advisory Committees, and is past vice chair of the VAGP
Professional Development Foundation. In 1997, Kathy was the chair of the Northern Virginia
Cooperative Purchasing Council.
During her tenure with the Town of Leesburg, Kathy developed the Town’s procurement
program, automated the procurement system to eliminate paperwork, converted th e Town’s
surplus program from live to online auctions, and overhauled the Town’s purchase card
process.
“Kathy really brought the Town’s procurement program into the 21 st century,” commented Kaj
Dentler, Leesburg’s Town Manager. “She has done a great job over the years of educating staff
at all levels on procurement law and on ensuring that the Town is getting competitive pricing
on everything we buy.”
Ms. Elgin has announced her retirement from the Town of Leesburg, effectively December 31,
2015.
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