Harris Receives Achievement Award From National Association of Educational Procurement

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 15, 2017) — Bill Harris, University of Kentucky's chief procurement officer who recently retired in May, has been granted the National Association of Educational Procurement’s (NAEP) highest honor, the Bert C. Ahrens Achievement Award. The award recognizes an NAEP member for outstanding contributions to the procurement profession throughout a lengthy career of service. The award was presented at a ceremony held during the association’s 2017 annual meeting in Reno, Nevada.

At the same ceremony, Harris also received the David H. Lord Award from E&I Cooperative Services, NAEP’s purchasing cooperative partner, in recognition of outstanding contributions in support of the cooperative purchasing industry.

Harris has been an active NAEP member during his 30-year career, which includes heading purchasing departments for the City of Springfield, in his home state of Illinois; the City of Topeka, Kansas; and the University of Missouri System. In 2004, he joined the University of Kentucky, where, along with his procurement duties, he was a faculty member at the College Business Management Institute. 

Harris’ contributions to the NAEP mission include serving as board president and presenting frequently at the association’s national and regional meetings.

Harris graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in political science and later earned the procurement designation CPPO (Certified Public Purchasing Officer).

About the National Association of Educational Procurement

Founded in 1921, NAEP’s mission is to facilitate the development, exchange and practice of effective and ethical procurement principles and techniques within higher education and associated communities, through continuing education, networking, public information and advocacy. NAEP strives to be recognized as the association dedicated to the advancement of excellence in the purchasing profession serving higher education and associated communities. More information on NAEP may be found at www.naepnet.org.