Spotlight on Volunteers By Stephen ‘Skip’ Kay, C.P.M. Communications Chair/Board Member

This month’s “Spotlight on Volunteers” features Terri Okazaki, Executive Board Member and Secretary of NAPM-OC. You may know her as the “Ticket Lady” with the sweet enchanting smile who takes your money for the 50/50 drawings. Terri is a devout dog lover and avid sports fan. The topic of dogs will be addressed further on in this column, but in regards to sports, Terri is a big spectator sports fan. Her first love is football, specifically the Denver Broncos, and UCLA Bruins. Next comes baseball. She is a season ticket holder for the Anaheim Angels, and holds a passion for the old Dodgers. She has two fantasy football league teams. She also enjoys pro basketball and is trying to learn more about the fastest game on ice, hockey. Terri is also a great golf enthusiast. She started playing at age five and attended Cal State Long Beach on a partial golf scholarship!

Spotlight: What company are you employed with, for how long and in what capacity?
Terri: I currently work for the City of Santa Ana as the lead buyer. I started with the City in February 1991 as an assistant buyer.

Spotlight: What do you see as the major differences between public vs. private procurement?
Terri: The major difference between public and private sector purchasing is the formal bidding process. Formal bids are advertised, bids must be received on a specified date by specific time in a sealed envelope, and are then opened publically. Bidders are welcome to attend the bid openings and hear the amounts bid by their competitors. Bids are awarded to the lowest and most responsive bidder. If the bid is not awarded to the lowest bidder, then Purchasing must be able to justify why. After Purchasing determines bid awardees, paperwork is written up and City Council must approve the award. I believe it is often said that the public sector purchasing is like working in a fish bowl.

Spotlight: How did you select Purchasing as your profession?
Terri: I got into Purchasing “by accident.” I graduated with an English degree with hopes of getting some writing job...one that paid decent money. Instead I began doing odd jobs in the Accounting field. I worked in credit and collections for Arrowhead Water, and accounts receivable for Marriott Host. While I was becoming bored with accounts receivable, an opportunity came up in Design and Construction for a coordinator. Design and Construction handled the building and renovating of concessions for major airports across the U.S. and I enjoyed buying the F.F. & E. The rest is history.

Spotlight: Describe the most interesting thing(s) that have happened to you in your job
Terri: The most interesting thing that happened to me in my job occurred while I was at Marriott Host. The company was relocating the Host office to Bethesda, Maryland and I was being laid off. As part of the lay off employees were receiving compensation packages, but in order to get the full package the employee had to stay until the official final day. Tricky, because if you found a job before the last day then you lost out on some of the compensation. Well, the VP of D & C was relocating back to Maryland, and he mentioned not wanting to take his dog, Midnight back because his dog was getting too old and he was thinking of putting him to “sleep”. I had met Midnight at a Christmas party he had at his home, and I knew he wasn’t that old. So being the dog lover I am I couldn’t let that happen so I volunteered to adopt Midnight if I could have my full compensation package. What a deal! Midnight lived quite a few years after I adopted him and he brought so much joy to me.

Spotlight: How long have you served NAPM-OC as a Volunteer? How long have you been a Director and on what Committees have you served?
Terri: I became interested in NAPM through my instructors (Chris Helgrud and Merle Roberts) at Coastline Community College. I have served as a volunteer since I joined in 1991. I began on the Fellowship Committee and served as co-chair with Vivian Stewart. Then I chaired Membership for a short period of time, but resigned due to time constraints. I am in my third term on the Board, and currently in my 7th year as a Director. I have served on the Executive Board as both Secretary and Treasurer.

Spotlight: Who is/was you mentor(s) and how did they help guide you?
Terri: I would have to say that Sara and Merle are my mentors, but all of my fellow directors, committee chairs, and association members are mentors to me in some way or another. I learn something from everyone I meet because everyone has something to offer!

Spotlight: Do you have a favorite web site?
Terri: Any sports and shopping Web Site.

Spotlight: Do you have a message for the Membership?
Terri: I believe that it is in giving that one receives. The little time I give to the association gives me back so...much!!