Leaders In Public Procurement

Lila McCleery, a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as a Resource Associate. With a strong background in public sector engagement, Lila is a national member of NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement, a local member of Arizona NIGP, serving on the Cooperative Committee, and a member of the Arizona Association of School Business Officials (AASBO), where she contributes to the Professional Development Committee. With nearly three decades of experience in the public sector, Lila has a proven track record of continuous improvement, working effectively with diverse backgrounds, policy writing, relationship building, strategic planning, project management, meeting deadlines, and delivering measurable results.

Lila's expertise in public-school procurement spans more than 25 years, during which she has established herself as a metrics-driven leader with strong relationships across numerous districts and multiple stakeholders. She has substantial experience creating systems that drive results within school districts and purchasing cooperatives, and she has consistently provided leadership, mentoring, and team building to her direct reports, colleagues, and peers throughout her career. In her role, Lila will set goals, oversee operational work, provide procurement expertise and support, assist with strategic planning and training, conduct research, offer best practice recommendations, and ensure quality assurance and consistency to maintain overall alignment with project goals.

Roger Spivey is a highly experienced purchasing and procurement professional with over two decades of expertise spanning federal, tribal, and school district settings. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ottawa University and is an active member of both the NIGP-Capital Chapter and the AASBO, where he serves on the Professional Development committee. This involvement demonstrates his commitment to staying current with industry best practices and continuously enhancing his skills.

Throughout his career, Roger has held leadership roles for 13 years, providing guidance, mentorship, and team-building support to direct reports, colleagues, and interns. His 15 years of public sector experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of purchasing, warehouse management, fixed assets, and accounts payable functions. This well-rounded background allows Roger to effectively navigate complex procurement processes and deliver results that align with organizational goals.

David M. Gonzales has a strong background in purchasing, contract administration, logistics, and inventory control. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Administration from New Mexico State University and an Associate's degree in Occupational Business from Dona Ana Community College. Throughout his career, David has obtained certifications and training in various areas, including material management systems, procurement, and IT commodity purchasing.

With over 17 years of experience, David has held positions at several notable organizations, including The Boeing Company, Scottsdale Unified School District, State Procurement Office of Arizona, Alamo Colleges, and various other private and government entities. In these roles, he has consistently demonstrated his expertise in leading procurement functions, issuing RFPs and IFBs, managing vendor relationships, and implementing process improvements. David's diverse background spans across industries such as defense, education, food processing, and technology, showcasing his adaptability and comprehensive understanding of procurement practices.

Priscilla Ruiz has over 26 years of experience in public education budgeting and accounting. Currently serving as the Director of Accounting & Payroll at Phoenix Union High School District, Priscilla plays a crucial role in achieving the organization's financial goals by analyzing financial data, offering recommendations, and managing staff. She contributes to the development of accounting strategies, coordinates the preparation of budgets and financial forecasts, and advises departments on data collection and analysis to provide accurate financial projections.

Prior to her current role, Priscilla served as a Budget Specialist at Phoenix Union High School District for 25 years. In this position, she demonstrated her expertise in managing multi-million dollar budgets, overseeing numerous grants, and ensuring accountability for all state and federal grant funds. Priscilla is well-versed in the Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR) and Education Department of General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR). She actively participated in budget meetings with school leaders, providing valuable advice on controlling expenditures within budget limits. Additionally, Priscilla collaborated with external auditors on the Single Audit - Annual Financial Report (AFR) and the Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR).

Casey Johnson is an accomplished payroll and bookkeeping professional with over a decade of experience. She honed her skills in the Finance Department at Kingman Unified School District from 2015 to 2022, mastering the Visions payroll system and its various modules. Casey is adept at managing all aspects of payroll, including employee setup, deductions, leave plans, personnel actions, and processing. She also possesses expertise in benefits-related tasks such as reconciliations and annual filings.

In the fall of 2023, Casey transitioned to a new role with the City of Kingman and also established Johnson Bookkeeping Services, LLC. Through her company, she now provides comprehensive payroll assistance and bookkeeping services to businesses, leveraging her extensive knowledge to help clients streamline their processes and is a trusted partner for Sunny Path.