Tara Acton, CPPB, began her procurement career in September 2009 as an entry-level Procurement Officer with Mohave County.  In October 2016, she left her role as the Senior Procurement Officer for Mohave County to pursue new opportunities with the City of Tucson.  Tara ended her City of Tucson employment serving as a Principal Contract Officer, leading a team of professionals in a satellite office. In June of 2020, Tara returned to Mohave County accepting a position as the Director of Procurement and Central Services.

 

Tara is an active leader in NIGP.  She served as the President of NIGP’s Grand Canyon Chapter from July 2015 through June 2017.  She also served on several committees with NIGP’s Copper Chapter between October 2016 and May 2020.  At the Institute level, Tara has served on multiple committees and task forces since 2015.  She was elected to the Member Council in 2017.  In February 2020 she was elected as the Chair Elect for the Council.  Shortly after becoming Chair-Elect, the Council’s Chair was appointment to the Governing Board, so Tara quickly ascended to Chair and has been serving in that role since February 2020.

 

2019 was a year of professional recognition for Tara.  She was recognized as the Copper Chapter’s 2019 Buyer of the Year, NIGP’s Young Professional for 2019, and she received the City of Tucson’s Business Services Department “Keys to Success” Award for her contributions to the City of Tucson as well as the work she has done on behalf of the profession.