State Leads Excellence Award

The NASPO ValuePoint State Leads Excellence Award celebrates visionary leadership, bold innovation, and outstanding achievement by a NASPO ValuePoint State Lead. It honors individuals who go above and beyond in the creation, procurement, and administration of NASPO ValuePoint portfolios, driving measurable value, expanding access, and elevating the impact of cooperative procurement across the country. By spotlighting the excellence of our State Leads, NASPO seeks to raise the visibility of this pivotal role, inspire greater engagement from states nationwide, and champion the power of collaborative procurement leadership.

Established in 2026, this prestigious award launches its inaugural year by setting a new standard for what cooperative procurement leadership can achieve.

Do you know a State Lead who goes above and beyond in stewarding the procurement process, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and high-value outcomes for all participating states and public entities?

Honor their contributions by nominating them for NASPO ValuePoint’s prestigious State Leads Excellence Award.

Who Can Submit:

• NASPO Primary Member (CPO)
• NASPO Associate Member with CPO approval*
• NASPO ValuePoint State Lead with CPO approval*
• NASPO ValuePoint Sourcing Team Member with CPO approval*

*Approval by the nominee’s state CPO should be included as part of the nomination process.
**For support reaching out to the state CPO, please reach out to Jessica Burton or Joel Atkinson.

Eligibility for Nomination:

• Current NASPO ValuePoint State Leads
• Individuals who served as a NASPO ValuePoint State Lead within the past twelve (12) months prior to the nomination deadline.
• Nominee must be currently employed within the State CPO’s office to be eligible

Submission Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026

Candidates for the award should meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated successful leadership or clear progress toward completion of a NASPO ValuePoint portfolio
• Evidence of innovation or notable improvement in procurement processes within a NASPO ValuePoint portfolio
• Positive impact on multi-state ValuePoint portfolio collaboration and engagement
• Contributes to elevating the impact of a NASPO ValuePoint portfolio
• Commitment to NASPO’s values of integrity, transparency, and service to the public

The State Leads Excellence Committee reviews and evaluates the submitted application. The three highest scoring submissions are identified as finalists, and the final rankings are revealed during the awards ceremony at NASPO’s Annual Conference. The finalists and awardee will also be highlighted during the NASPO ValuePoint LEADS Conference. 

Committee Chair: Chelsea Robillard, Chief Procurement Officer, Idaho

Committee Vice Chair: John Thomas, Chief Procurement Officer, Montana

NASPO ValuePoint Staff: Jessica Burton and Joel Atkinson