President's Article "Serving our Members with purpose and passion..." By George F. Nagy, C.P.M., President NAPM-Orange County, Inc. Affiliated with the Institute of Supply Management

As I begin my presidency of the association for fiscal year 2002-2003, I am filled with optimism. We are in a time of change, challenges and great opportunity. The attack on our country, our way of life, our economy, has left a residue of uncertainty that we all struggle against daily. As members of the purchasing profession we enjoy a unique opportunity to influence the economic well being of our companies, our industries and the country in general. Our profession is dynamic and continually evolving into ever expanding multifunctional roles.

It is no longer sufficient to just know purchasing. Today we need to develop skills in such diverse disciplines as Traffic and Logistics, warehouse management, cash flow analysis and accounting principles, contract and project management, product development, investment principles, customer service, communications, electronic data manipulation, computer and analytical skills, legal skills, international developments - just to name a few.

Our profession has received new recognition and acknowledgment of the value it adds to the bottom line and health of both the manufacturing and service sectors. The individual decisions that we now make have far greater impact and more far reaching implications for all aspects of a company’s well being than ever before. We not only enjoy greater visibility among management but also among our coworkers.

Part of the mission of the association is to help each member achieve their maximum capability and help them develop all the skills necessary to create the best opportunities for success. Through educational offerings and social gatherings our mission and hope is to enhance the skills of all our members in all aspects of their lives.

As an organization we are fortunate to have as members, people with a broad spectrum of skills and experience, some of it extraordinary. I encourage all of you to seek them out, “network”, draw of their skills and experience to help answer your question. It’s a wonderful pool of knowledge; I invite you to dive in.

Welcome all to the new fiscal year and please feel free to contact me with your thoughts, concerns or suggestions. I encourage you to participate in the governance and activities of your organization to the extent that you are able.

Again , I look forward to a productive and rewarding year for each of us, for the association, and for me personally.