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Purchasing and General Services Recognized for Leadership, Collaboration

Last Updated on December 02, 2020 at 2:00 PM

Originally published December 02, 2020

By Jesse Martinez

UTEP Communications

The University of Texas at El Paso’s Purchasing and General Services Department was recognized for its dedication and accomplishments in leadership and innovation during The University of Texas System Supply Chain Alliance’s (UTSSCA) annual Power of Collaboration Conference.

UTEP’s Purchasing and General Services Department received several awards during The University of Texas System Supply Chain Alliance’s annual Power of Collaboration Conference. This file photo was taken in 2019 prior to the pandemic.
UTEP’s Purchasing and General Services Department received several awards during The University of Texas System Supply Chain Alliance’s annual Power of Collaboration Conference. This file photo was taken in 2019 prior to the pandemic.

The event regularly hosts more than 100 professionals from the UT System Supply Chain, Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program, procurement and accounts payable departments in order to encourage collaboration. Each year, institutions and individuals are recognized for their achievements and their commitment to teamwork.

“Dr. Diane De Hoyos and her staff have demonstrated on a daily basis their excellence through their dedication and support of the UTEP community,” said Mark McGurk, vice president for business affairs at UTEP. “They did this before, during and will continue to provide excellent service after this COVID-19 pandemic. Their recognition is simply an acknowledgement by their institutional peers of what we already know: that we have one of the best purchasing teams in the entire UT System. Congratulations to Dr. De Hoyos and the entire team – well done!”

Diane De Hoyos, Ph.D., associate vice president for purchasing and general services at UTEP, was presented with the Golden Link Award, which recognizes an outstanding individual who goes above and beyond in advocating and promoting the core mission of the UTSSCA. The UTSSCA’s mission is to provide reliable, sustainable solutions for the purchase and delivery of equipment, services, and supplies to support education, patient care, and research at UT System institutions.

“I realize I was the individual acknowledged, but it really serves as recognition to the great team I have the privilege to lead,” De Hoyos said. “It speaks to their commitment and dedication to the institution we serve. I am proud to be a UTEP alum and serve our campus community.”

The Rising Star Award is given to a group or individual who demonstrates high accomplishment in innovation, leadership and dedication. UTEP staff members have earned this award three times during the past four years. This year’s recipient was Denise Rodriguez, a buyer in UTEP’s Purchasing and General Services Department. Previous winners include Erika Rosales, a director in the department, and Michael Lau, a director of contract administration.

UTEP was also recognized with the Campus Spirit Award as an institution that promotes ideas that spark new initiatives, motivates colleagues, and displays a strong sense of leadership.

“It was a great tribute to our team to be recognized by the UT System Supply Chain Alliance and by extension, our peers,” De Hoyos said. “It was an acknowledgment of the significant contribution that Purchasing and General Services makes to ensure that we meet the procurement needs of campus each and every day and support the mission of the institution.”

The conference was held virtually Oct. 9, 2020.

In 2019, UTEP hosted the Power of Collaboration Conference and featured a number of conference firsts including a record number of attendees, an address by an institution president, and it was the first time the conference was held at UTEP.

The UTSSCA was created to leverage the collective size and strength of UT System institutions through cooperative purchasing and UTEP has been a member since its inception in 2007.

 

Click to see a larger version of this award:

Purchasing 2020 Award