Groups merge into statewide purchasing organization

Beacham said a Foundation Committee was formed with representatives from cities, counties, schools, special districts, state agencies and higher education. Those representatives met throughout 2006 and made a final presentation to both TPPA and TCPA members at a meeting in June 2007, where the merger was approved.

The new organization currently has more then 400 members, but Beacham expects that to grow to more than 1,000 by June.

"Education is one of the main benefits we offer the members," he said. "The county association has sponsored two Continuing Education seminars every year, while the city purchasing group concentrated mainly on working the legislature. So now we can offer the legislative thrust, along with the educational opportunities and the networking."

Beacham said the groups the merger brought together are benefitting from being able to learn each others' ways. "Cities, counties and school districts are becoming closer in the way that they do things. It was only a natural transition, a natural merger. Should have happened years ago," he said.

By representing a broader spectrum of purchasing professionals, the organization will gain a great deal more clout in the legislature, Beacham said.

"This last legislative session, the cities lobbied and were successful in raising their minimum bid ceiling amount from $25,000 to $50,000," he said. "The counties are still stuck at $25,000. We'll have to go back next time to get that considered by the legislature. So through a cooperative effort, we can represent the cities, the counties, the school districts and others."

The group's charter slate of officers includes Beacham as president, Turney as Vice President, Kay Foster with DFW International Airport as Secretary, and Adrian Garza with San Benito ISD as Treasurer. Board Members include Carol Cooper with City of Garland; Christ Havel with the Texas Comptroller in Austin; Narita Holmes of UT-Permian Basin in Odessa; Gary Kerbow with Carrollton/Farmers Branch ISD; and Frank Ybarbo of Collin County in McKinney.

For more information on TxPPA, click here.