Cornell Procurement Services won the 19th annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award for 2014 from the National Procurement Institute (NPI). The award is earned by organizations that demonstrate excellence in innovation, professionalism, productivity, leadership and e-procurement. NPI is a national network of purchasing and supply management professionals.

“This achievement underscores Cornell’s commitment to improving its processes and leading its peers in excellence in innovation and best practices,” said Joanne DeStefano, vice president for finance and chief financial officer. “This award marks several years of effort by our procurement staff to support the university's goals to identify savings opportunities and streamline operations.”

“Procurement Services employees are dedicated to the highest standards of professionalism, innovation and sound fiscal stewardship,” said Thomas Romantic, senior director of procurement services. “We have been committed to providing leading-edge procurement, and the programs we have created help achieve that for Cornell.”

NPI’s program encourages the development of excellence as well as continued organizational improvement to earn the award annually. Procurement Services was one of 23 higher education institutions to receive the award this year.