July-September 2008 (Quarterly Newsletter)
Spotlight!
Employee Spotlight: Terri McMahon
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Terri McMahon, Commodity/Contracts Officer for Design & Construction, has been with Pima County Procurement since 2001. I asked one of her co-workers to give me three words to describe Terri. I received nine instead: diligent, organized, understanding, detail oriented, observant, funny, caring, and flexible. I think that's why I really love doing these Spotlights. It not only gives our readers an insight to our staff, it is another way for us to give a little shout-out to our employees and show them that we really do notice the extra effort and hard work they put in.
Q: Remind our readers where to check for Design & Construction projects?
A: The Pima County website is the prime source for published solicitations at http://www.pima.gov/procure/ifbrfp-dc.htm .
Q: You have been involved in the issues of Sustainability in Procurement. Can you tell us what kinds of changes Procurement is making for the future of a sustainable environment?
A. We are seeing a great deal of forward thinking in the area of green purchasing on both the Materials & Services and the Design & Construction side of Procurement. The Board of Supervisors' Procurement Policy requires the use of eco-friendly materials and services where practical and cost effective. This initiative prompted the M&S group to offer “Green” Specifications Training to County Departments. The objective is to generate purchasing specifications that result in the procurement of eco-friendly goods and services in a manner that promotes competitive pricing.
The Design & Construction group is exploring the possibility of automating its bid document distribution process. This might include electronic distribution of plans, specifications, plan holders lists, and addenda distribution to its potential bidders. The objective is to mitigate the County's expense and waste in hard copy printing and improve efficiencies.
Other procurement efforts that M&S and D&C are involved with include a solar energy project for the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department and the procurement of a refuse, recycling, collection and management contract for all County buildings.
Q: I understand the County is moving in a different direction with the design and construction of new facilities. Can you explain?
A: The Board of Supervisors' recently adopted a Resolution that directs certain actions in support of the County's Sustainability Initiative. In summary, it requires that all new occupied County buildings, including additions over 5,000 sq. ft., be constructed to LEED Silver principals. “LEED” stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to set standards for environmentally sustainable construction. As a result, this summer Design & Construction will advertise the bidding of its first LEED construction project, the Jackson Employment Center. This new direction in construction has prompted D&C to pursue outreach and educate bidders about the LEED building process while striving to maintain a competitive bidding climate.
Q: I know you are very busy but what do you like to do in your spare time, if you have any?
A: I love to spend time outdoors, go to Apache Lake to water-ski, kneeboard, and spend time with family. My true passion though is horseback riding. My fiancé and I currently have one horse and are looking to purchase one or two more this fall. I do my best to stay active and work out daily at Gold's Gym (so I can keep lifting those hay bales).
Q: If you weren't working here in Procurement (total Dream Job!), what would you be doing?
A: Well, if I weren't working here in Procurement (which I really do enjoy), I would probably pursue my jewelry design business (Wrapped Up in the West). I have my work consigned at the Tucson Museum of Art and the Kit Carson Museum in Taos, Nevada. I've actually taken a bit of a hiatus from it this past year to focus more on our animals (horses and dogs take a lot of time), and to plan my upcoming wedding in October.
Q: What's your favorite vacation?
A: Living in the desert, I'd have to say that my favorite vacation is anywhere tropical or near water. My fiancé (Tom) and I will be married on October 4th. We're planning our honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico, so I'm excited to visit that tropical vacation spot!
Thank you, Terri. Cancun sounds absolutely wonderful! If you have questions for Terri, you can reach her at terri.mcmahon@pima.gov. Next Spotlight: Jennifer Moore.
Previous Spotlights:
Hope Sikora
Nina Schatz
Brenda Wilson
If you have a suggestion for the Spotlight or anything else you would like to see in our Newsletter, send me an email at karen.dillingham@pima.gov.