Don Buffum elected NIGP national officer
Mississippi State University's director of procurement and contracts has been elected third vice president of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP).
In that position, Don Buffum is now in line to serve a term as national president of the organization starting in July 2014.
With headquarters in Herndon, Va., NIGP works to advocate best practices, ethical values and public service in the profession. Its more than 16,000 members are located throughout the United States, Canada and overseas.
Prior to joining MSU in 2007, Buffum was purchasing director for the State of Mississippi. A University of Washington graduate, he received a master's degree in business administration from Mississippi College and holds public purchasing officer accreditation with the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council.
"Don's active role in the country's leading public purchasing organization illustrates Mississippi State's commitment to leadership, integrity and good stewardship of public funds and property," said Don Zant, the land-grant institution's vice president for budget and planning.
Buffum's career includes a number of honors, among them the Roy Saye Award as the state's most outstanding public purchasing official and the Guilio Mazzone Distinguished Service Award, highest honor of the National Association of State Procurement Officials.
He is an active member of several other professional organizations, including the National Association of State Purchasing Officials and Mississippi Association of Governmental Purchasing and Property Agents.
Jim Laird | University Relations
