Who’s Lew, and Why is He a Role Model for Purchasers?

By Darin Matthews, CPPO, C.P.M.

Members of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) may be familiar with the Lewis E. Spangler (LES) Professional Development Foundation, which strives to raise the educational standards of the public procurement profession through scholarships, grants, and loans.

Besides awarding educational scholarships to many procurement professionals, the LES Foundation has provided research grants to Humber College in Ontario, Canada, as well as donated funds to help launch NIGP’s new educational program, Learning and Education to Advance Procurement (LEAP). The Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) has also received support from the Foundation.

Those who are new to the profession may be aware of the opportunities available through LES, but may not be as familiar with its namesake. Lewis E. Spangler was the chief operating officer for NIGP from 1975 through 1989, when the position was referred to as executive vice president. His dedication to public procurement and to NIGP is unparalleled.

Lew spent 30 years as an employee of the U.S. government, working his way up to Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Supply Service. He oversaw a multi-billion dollar operation that managed global logistics and supply for the U.S. military. This support was vital to our soldiers serving throughout the world, including Vietnam. As an Army veteran in World War II and the Korean conflict, Lew fully understood the need for timely, quality supplies in the field. He reported to the Administrator of the General Services Administration, who reported directly to President Lyndon B. Johnson.

In addition, Lew was a board member of the Inter-national Coalition of Procurement Standards, as well as an executive committee member for the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM). He received numerous awards, including the GSA’s Exceptional Service Award, IFPSM’s Garner Themoin medal, and the Albert H. Hall Award (NIGP’s highest honor) in 1989.

When Lew took over the reigns of NIGP during the mid 1970s, he brought a unique leadership and vision that served the growing organization well. His countless contributions to the educational programs, conference events, and publications help make possible the thriving organization we see today in NIGP. He was also instrumental in the creation of the UPPCC. Lew passed away in 1999, but his impact to the procurement profession continues on.

Now that you know more about Lew, what better time to get involved with the LES Foundation? Whether you are interested in applying for a scholarship, fellowship, or grant, or are in a position to give back to the profession through a tax-deductible donation, visit the LES Web site at www.govinfo.bz/6774-114 or call 800-FOR-NIGP. You can also contact the Foundation’s Chair, Corrine Culver, CPPO, CPPB, via e-mail: caculver@cox.net, or NIGP’s Marketing Director, Brent Maas, at bmaas@nigp.org, for more information.

Editor’s Note: Darin Matthews, CPPO, C.P.M., is the 2006-2007 President of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing.