Palm Bay Names Chris Smith Chief Procurement Officer
Chris Smith, a procurement veteran from Northern Virginia, took over Palm Bay's purchasing and contracting operations on Sept. 28.
Palm Bay has a new head of purchasing. Chris Smith started as the city's Chief Procurement Officer on Sept. 28, the City of Palm Bay announced Oct. 12.
In the role, Smith oversees how the city buys goods and services and negotiates contracts. According to the city, his duties also include the purchasing card program and the disposal of surplus city property. The city says he will work with departments and suppliers to keep service timely and competition fair.
Smith comes to Palm Bay from the Greater Washington, D.C., area. The city's announcement says he previously worked in procurement for Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria, Virginia, on technology, facilities, transportation and professional-services purchasing. Earlier in his career he held roles with Booz Allen Hamilton, Disney and Accenture, supporting federal and military clients that included the U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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City Manager Matthew Morton tied the hire to the city's growth. "Palm Bay is growing, and strong procurement helps us deliver the services and projects our residents expect," Morton said in the release, adding that Smith is committed to welcoming qualified businesses to compete for city work.
Smith said in the release that his first step is to listen to city staff, departments and the businesses that serve Palm Bay. He also said he wants vendors and contractors to see the city as a fair, reliable partner and plans to work with neighboring Space Coast governments on the regional marketplace.
Smith holds a business administration degree from James Madison University and an executive MBA from Virginia Tech. He also carries several procurement certifications, including NIGP Certified Procurement Professional and Certified Professional Public Buyer, and serves on the NIGP Leadership Development Committee.
Businesses interested in bidding on city work can find current opportunities through the city's Procurement Department.
Source: City of Palm Bay