Purchasing Made Personal Podcast

In the season finale of Purchasing Made Personal, host Michael Tucker sits down with Callie Easley, Director of Marketing & Communications for TIPS, to look back on how the podcast came to life, some of their favorite conversations and moments from the first season, and what they’ve learned along the way. From memorable guests to standout insights, they reflect on the stories that shaped Seaso...

New ADA website accessibility requirements are bringing important changes for public entities, including school districts, municipalities, and government agencies. In this episode of Purchasing Made Personal, we sit down with Luis Antonio Diaz, CEO of Blu AI Technologies, to break down what these regulations mean, who they impact, and the deadlines organizations need to know. We also explore pract...

In this episode of Purchasing Made Personal, Michael Tucker sits down with Sarah Reynolds to explain the TIPS Trade, Labor & Materials contract, including the key differences between Part 1 and Part 2 and how vendors can determine which portion of the solicitation is right for their business. They discuss public work requirements, construction and renovation projects, pricing, Job Order Contra...

In this episode of Purchasing Made Personal, Michael Tucker sits down with Mark Penny, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA), to discuss MASA’s Tight Times Initiative and how Missouri school districts can prepare for financial uncertainty. They cover budgeting, reserves, potential spending reductions, and how superintendents, finance teams, and school board...

In this episode of Purchasing Made Personal, Michael Tucker sits down with Mike Williams, founder of 3i Contracting and former NBA player, to discuss leadership, public sector construction, communication, and the lessons that helped shape his career beyond basketball. Mike also shares how the Assist4Life Foundation is helping introduce students to careers in construction and create new opportuniti...

TIPS is built on relationships, and our Program Managers are at the heart of it. In this episode, we sit down with Program Manager Jack Brown to learn about his work with members and vendors across the Western US.

Charley Branham of the Missouri School Plant Managers Association (MSPMA) and David Mabe of TIPS Construction discuss how strong partnerships can support school facilities professionals and public school districts. They explore today’s biggest facilities management challenges, the value of professional associations and industry events, and how MSPMA, TIPS, and cooperative purchasing can connect sc...

What does it take to manage procurement for one of the nation’s largest cities? Jedediah Greenfield, Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Houston, joins PMPP to take listeners behind the scenes of city purchasing—sharing memorable wins, creative solutions, urgent challenges, and purchases that made a meaningful impact. He also offers practical advice for municipalities looking to improve comp...

Ken Wertz, Executive Director of the National School Plant Managers Association (NSPMA) joins PMPP to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping K–12 school facilities management. We explore facility maintenance funding, indoor air quality, professional development, national advocacy, and the resources school plant managers need to create safer, healthier learning environments.

In this episode, Julie Sands, AIA, LEED AP, PMP, Chief Business Development Officer at TIPS Construction, and Tom Ferrentino, National Director of Sales and Business Development at TIPS Construction, discuss how cooperative purchasing and Job Order Contracting support architects, engineers, and design professionals working on public construction projects. They cover spec protection, quote review,...

TIPS is built on relationships, and our Program Managers are at the heart of it. In this episode, we sit down with Program Manager Whitley Allen to learn about her work with members and vendors around Dallas and Waco, Texas.

Winning sales in the public sector is about becoming a trusted partner—not just closing a deal. In the first in-person episode of PMPP, we sit down with Jensen Mabe, TIPS VP of Sales and Business Development, to discuss what makes selling to the public sector different from traditional B2B sales. From understanding budget cycles and building long-term relationships to earning procurement’s trust,...

Nick James from Whiteglove AI joins us to discuss applied AI and how agencies are beginning to use it in practical, meaningful ways. The conversation explores how AI tools can support public sector work, improve efficiency, and help teams navigate emerging technology with confidence.

Aran Raz from the City of Westminster, Colorado, joins PMPP to discuss how his procurement team is using AI to streamline processes and improve efficiency. The conversation explores practical ways public entities can apply AI, build confidence with emerging technology, and rethink the future of public procurement.

Kim Cullen Prather from Beacon Bid joins PMPP to discuss the hidden barriers suppliers face when doing business with government entities. The conversation explores how supplier awareness, AI, cooperative purchasing, and small purchase opportunities can impact vendor participation, competition, and pricing in public procurement.

In this episode of the Purchasing Made Personal Podcast, Mariel Reed, Founder and CEO of Pavilion, explains how public procurement teams can move beyond the “Department of No” and become proactive, strategic partners to the departments they serve. Michael and Mariel discuss improving stakeholder relationships, simplifying compliant purchasing, using cooperative contracts more effectively, and crea...

TIPS is built on relationships, and our Program Managers are at the heart of it. In this episode, we sit down with Program Manager Stacey McPherson to learn about his work with members and vendors across South Central US.

In this episode of the Purchasing Made Personal Podcast, Michael Tucker is joined by Tom Ferrentino from TIPS Construction to discuss Energy Savings Performance Contracts, or ESPCs. Tom explains how ESPCs can help schools, municipalities, and other public agencies evaluate facility costs, improve energy efficiency, and plan for long-term building performance through smarter public procurement and...

In this episode of the Purchasing Made Personal Podcast, Michael Tucker sits down with Josh Peach to discuss the often-overlooked connection between school infrastructure and student success. From aging facilities and deferred maintenance to preventive maintenance planning, indoor air quality, and operational support, Josh shares why well-maintained learning environments matter and how public agen...

Sarah Reynolds, TIPS’ Legal Counsel/Contract Manager (CTCM), helps unravel the often-overlooked terms and conditions in cooperative contracts. In this episode, she explains what members and vendors need to know, highlights common pitfalls, and shares practical tips for ensuring compliance and protecting your organization.

In this episode, TIPS Construction’s Compliance team breaks down the TIPS JOC Contract Procurement Process, showing how it streamlines project delivery while ensuring compliance and cost transparency. Learn how TIPS members and awarded vendors can leverage JOC contracts for faster, more efficient, and defensible procurement.

TIPS is built on relationships, and our Program Managers are at the heart of it. In this episode, we sit down with Program Manager Rick Ogden to learn about his work with members and vendors in TIPS' home base: Northeast, Texas.

What happens behind the scenes of a purchase order?  Victoria Walston and Karen Walton from the TIPS PO Department joins PMPP to walk through the TIPS PO process, highlight pricing compliance, and best practices for using cooperative contracts accurately and efficiently.

Tammy Rimes, Executive Director of the National Cooperative Procurement Partners (NCPP) and former purchasing agent, joins PMPP to discuss NCPP’s role in supporting cooperative procurement and how cooperative purchasing contracts like TIPS help procurement professionals streamline the purchasing process and maintain compliance.

Allison Ames, TIPS’ Texas Vice President of Sales, joins host Michael Tucker to explain cooperative purchasing contracts, including how cooperative contracts work, what they involve, and the benefits for nonprofit organizations and suppliers across the country.