Who We Are

We are the Rio Grande Chapter - Welcome!

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Welcome to the new NCMA Rio Grande Chapter Linked In page.
The Rio Grande Chapter consists of a diverse group of professionals at all career levels, representing both local industry and government agencies. We are your coworkers, subcontractors, primes, and customers. As July 2024 we have 79 members and with your help we anticipate growing that number over the coming year.
Our chapter exists to locally promote and offer professional growth and educational advancement of contracting, procurement, program management and acquisition personnel. With the support of NCMA HQ we offer educational programs, leadership development, mentoring, networking opportunities, and other valuable resources to our members. We are justifiably proud of our chapter, our accomplishments, and our members.
Our membership includes a former National President of NCMA, various award winners including the Macfarland Excellence in Contract Management Research and Writing, the Berger award for Chapter Leadership, and numerous Graalman awards for Chapter Excellence. 

Career Advancement

Career Advancement Through Education and Mentoring

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The goal of any professional organization is to provide its members with career enhancing professional development opportunities. The Rio Grande Chapter excels in this area with both formal and informal eduction, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
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NCMA Rio Grande Chapter members Cara Woodword (left) and Audra Charity (Right) receiving their diplomas from the Contract Management Leadership Development Program (CMLDP). The Rio Grande Chapter has had great success in nominating our members to attend this prestigious year-long training and mentoring program. Our Immediate Past Chapter President - Erika Suran - graduated in the 2020 CMLDP cohort and our incoming Chapter President Synthia Pereyra is in the 2021 cohort. Are you next?
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Developing Tomorrow's Professionals Today

In recent years, the Rio Grande Chapter has presented three half-day educational seminars and one full day comprehensive symposium. The proceeds of the symposium provide operating funds for the chapter and subsidize the three half-day seminars, which are offered at a nominal price.

One chapter benefit is a free Live Webinar which we will offer again this year.  We are always open to your suggestions regarding topics, venues and speakers.  Send your suggestions here (admin@ncmargc.org). Here's Shene Commodore, guest lecturing. She is but one of the nationally recognized speakers we have hosted.
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World renowned contracts expert Steven Schooner. Nash and Cibinic Professor of Law at George Washington University is shown here at our 2016 Nuts, Bolts and Beyond where he was our featured speaker.

These event help expose our members to cutting edge ideas and viewpoints that offset any disadvantage caused by our geographic location. They also fill the need for high quality and authoritative continuing education needed to maintain professional certifications - be those with the NCMA or with government.

Skills obtained or maintained through these events prepare our members for professional advancement and career success. The investment of time in these trainings pays huge dividends and helps shape the professional workforce of tomorrow.
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We have also hosted other notable speakers and Contract Management professionals including Shene Commodore (pictured here) from Commodore Consulting, and Michal Fischetti, former Executive Director of NCMA, Michelle Currier Professor at Defense Acquisition University, and many, many others.

Networking

Networking and Professional Relationship Building

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Networking opportunities abound in the NCMA. Our association promotes the establishment of professional relationships among members in accordance with the Contract Management Code of Ethics. Networking combines the opportunity to share friendships with career assistance, advice, and opportunities. Many excellent career opportunities never get publicized because candidates are often referred or selected based on peer recommendations.

Here Don Shannon (left) and Audra Charity (center) enjoy dinner with Wanda Wallace (Jacksonville Chapter and MEP Committee) and CMLDP Alum Cassandra Manos (Left Foreground)

Events like NCMA World Congress enable NCMA members to meet and interact with industry and government thought leaders and open up many opportunities for learning and career advancement.
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Networking also offers members with a sounding board to explore new ideas, get feedback, and identify solutions to tough problems. The knowledge base of our chapter membership covers 50 or more years. If they can't help you with a problem they pretty well know who the expert is.

Our chapter has been very assertive in our efforts to attract nationally known speakers for our seminars including Robert Jones CPA, CPCM, Fellow show here enjoying breakfast at Barelas Coffe House during his visit to Albuquerque,
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From time to time the NCMA Rio Grande Chapter hosts nationally recognized speakers and contracting experts. Sometimes they present at a chapter event - or in this case have an extended breakfast with chapter officers. Many thanks to Major General (now Retired) Cameron Holt for his visit to New Mexico and his willingness to take time from a busy schedule and meet with our team.

Chapter Awards

Individual and Chapter Level Awards - We've won our share

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NCMA offers many opportunities to recognize our volunteers and we have received numerous awards for these efforts, including
  • The WALTER R. GRAALMAN AWARD which recognizes chapters on an annual basis who provide value to NCMA members and to the association,
  • The ARTHUR G. MULLER ANNUAL VOLUNTEER AWARD which recognizes NCMA members who have served, without compensation, the association through their participation, contribution, and leadership,
  • The FELLOW AWARD, a designation reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of contracting and to NCMA and is the second highest award given by the association.
  • The Outstanding Fellow Award. Here the 2021 Outstanding Fellows Award being presented don Shannon of the Rio Grande Chapter by NCMA CEO Kraig Conrad
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The Rio Grande Chapter collecting one of our many Graalman Awards
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  • The ALBERT BERGER OUTSTANDING CHAPTER LEADERSHIP AWARD which gives special recognition at the National level to those volunteers who demonstrate superior chapter leadership achievements in support of their chapter’s goals and activities,
  • The BLANCHE WITTE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION AWARD which provides formal recognition to an individual working in the field of procurement and contract management who has uniquely performed one or more exemplary achievements and
  • The ALVIS D. KEEN HONORARY LIFE MEMBER AWARD, the highest honor in NCMA, awarded for exceptional and noteworthy contributions to the achievement of the purposes of the association.

World Congress

NCMA World Congress

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Each year the members of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) meet in a week-long event known as World Congress. The Rio Grande Chapter is proud to have sponsored attendance at this gathering of CM professionals over the years. The most recent event during July in Boston drew over 4,200 people who spent three days attending presentations, workshops and seminars covering nearly every conceivable aspect of the contracting profession. The chapter encourages its members at World Congress to plan group activities with other chapter members and make the event truly memorable.