Joan Byrne Named Buyer of the Year

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The Michigan Public Purchasing Officers Association (MPPOA), a non profit organization, has awarded Joan Byrne as the 2017 Buyer of the Year. The award honors individuals who have been exemplary employees or have completed a unique project.

“Collaborating with five separate founding entities with over 150 volunteers, Joan navigated through some of the most innovative and financially challenging contracts,” says Nicolette N. Bateson, GLWA’s CFO and treasurer. “She operated on the strategic front line to procure and manage a wide range of services in order to launch GLWA in a short amount of time. Joan is most deserving of this award, and I was delighted to nominate her.”

Byrne, procurement manager for Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) in Detroit, has previously served as a procurement management professional for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Byrne’s responsibilities with GLWA include executing public purchasing techniques, serving as a mentor to team members, and managing various projects.

“Participating in GLWA’s launch was a reward in itself as it afforded me the rare and enjoyable opportunity to coordinate procurement efforts that positively impacted millions of people,” says Byrne. “Receiving the Buyer of the Year award from the Michigan Public Purchasing Officers Association, in addition to helping launch GLWA is an incredible honor.”

Byrne was presented the award at the MPPOA Annual Educational Conference.