Yetta S. Meadows, a purchasing agent at Marshall University, was recently notified by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) that she has earned recognition from the UPPCC by receiving the Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) credential.
Meadows was among 57 professionals who successfully completed the CPPO examination held May 7-19, 2012. Established in 1964, this prestigious certification is an outstanding honor for individuals employed in the public procurement profession and is an asset to their specific division of governmental administration.
“Yetta pursued and accomplished this on her own accord,” said Stephanie Smith, director of purchasing at Marshall. “This is another step in the right direction for the office of purchasing’s goal for pursuit and maintenance of purchasing proficiency.”
To date 2,125 procurement professionals have achieved this accomplished status. To become certified as a CPPO, candidates must demonstrate through an application process that they meet specific requisites established by the UPPCC, including formal education, procurement related coursework/training, public purchasing experience and functional management experience.
A comprehensive written examination is required to confirm the candidate’s mastery of the body of knowledge for public procurement professionals. The CPPO certification recognizes only those professionals who have fulfilled these prescribed standards of competency in public procurement.
Ron Bell, CPCM, President of the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), said, “These designations signal that the individual is not only highly trained in the procurement field but is serious in executing her responsibility to protect the public trust. Congratulations to every individual who earns this distinction.”
Other West Virginia CPPO-certified 2012 recipients are David R. Tincher, director of the West Virginia State Purchasing Division, and Roberta Wagner, a buyer supervisor at the West Virginia State Purchasing Division.
