Yuma News Now

Yuma, Arizona - Peggy Hayes, a Buyer with the City of Yuma's Purchasing Division, was selected as the 2009 Buyer of the Year by the Desert Southwest Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP).

"Over the past two years, Peggy has proved to be a great asset to the City of Yuma Purchasing Division and the Desert Southwest Chapter," said a statement from the NIGP chapter.

"Peggy worked on several committees during 2007 and 2008, such as revising the Purchasing Standard Operating Procedures, Commodity Assignments, and recently completed the Supervisors Academy. She has also submitted several articles that are published on the web site of the Desert Southwest Chapter of NIGP."

The City's Purchasing Division obtains supplies for City staff and projects and services for the public while maximizing value for the spent tax dollar.

Hayes served as a member of the Desert Southwest Chapter Formation Committee and is currently serving on the Board of Directors as Recording Secretary for the second term, according to NIGP. "Her organizational skills and dedication to the success of the Desert Southwest Chapter has resulted in keeping a small group of busy professionals together and on track."

A City of Yuma employee in the Purchasing Division for the last four years, Hayes has been awarded by the City of Yuma's Circle of Excellence employee recognition program, has completed the Supervisors Academy and became a Certified Professional Public Buyer in February 2007.

This is the second consecutive year a City of Yuma employee from the Purchasing Division has won this award. Senior Buyer Robin Wilson was the NIGP's Buyer of the Year for 2008.

"Peggy Hayes, CPPB, is an amazing asset to her organization and to the Desert Southwest Chapter of NIGP. She maintains a high level of integrity and ethics, and brings great credit to herself and to the organizations with a lot of humor. Peggy shares her knowledge with staff members after she attends training sessions and distributes her excellent notes to all who inquire," said the NIGP.

Members of the Desert Southwest Chapter of NIGP include the City of Yuma, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Crane Elementary School District #13, Arizona Western College and Yuma Union High School District.