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Anthony Puglisi

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COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO NAMES

NEW DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING, PROMISES TO OPEN BIDDING PROCESS TO MAKE IT MORE COMPETITIVE, SAVE MONEY

Newark, N.J. – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced Wednesday, Jan. 15 he has hired Kevin Galland as Director of the Office of Purchasing. Galland formerly was the Purchasing Director for Bergen County and will assume his new position Jan. 22.

“During my transition, I said finding a Director of Purchasing would be a priority for my administration. This office oversees the awarding of more than $500 million in contracts by the county, which has direct impact on the county’s budget,” DiVincenzo said. “As part of my effort to restore integrity to this government, I wanted to bring in a professional who was knowledgeable about public bidding laws and would make the process more competitive by attracting more vendors.” The County Executive also said it was his intention to encourage more minority- and female-owned businesses to compete for county contracts.

These goals fit with DiVincenzo’s plans for economic development and affirmative action. The County Executive would like to create more public-private partnerships as well as bring more minority- and female-owned business “to the table.” To achieve this goal, the purchasing office will work cooperatively with the Office of Affirmative Action. “County government must renew its commitment to affirmative action policies in an effort to ensure minority businesses gain greater access to the bidding process on all projects,” he said.

“The county can no longer rely on traditional ways to advertise what contracts it is looking to fill. We must be innovative and use new ways to reach more businesses so we make the process as competitive as possible so we can get the best services at the best price,” DiVincenzo said.

The appointment of Galland is the result of a nation-wide search that began shortly after DiVincenzo was elected in November. His hiring is another indication of the County Executive’s commitment finding qualified professionals to work in government. He will earn $98,500.

Galland served as the Purchasing Agent for Bergen County since 1996. He also served as Chairman of the New Jersey Association of County Purchasing Officials in 1999-2000 and was vice chairman in 1998-1999. Galland was a lecturer for the Bergen County Department of Parks, the New Jersey Association of Counties Conference and the New Jersey National Institute of Government Purchasing Forum; and he is an Adjunct Instructor of Public Purchasing for Rutgers University’s Center for Government Services. He received an MPA in Government from Pace University in White Plains, N.Y., an MBA in Accounting from Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., and a Master’s Degree in Economics from the State University of New York in Stonybrook, N.Y.

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