E&I Host:
Matt Levine, E&I Category Marketing Manager

Guests:
Raina Saxena, Sr Director of Consulting Services, GEP
Pranav Padgaonkar, Vice President of Consulting, GEP
Andrew Brennan, Vice President of Sourcing, E&I
Jill Schunk, Vice President of Strategic Alliances, E&I

Join Matt Levine as he dives into the dynamic partnership between E&I and GEP that earned recognition from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). In this episode, you’ll hear from key players at E&I and GEP as they share how their collaborative efforts brought groundbreaking efficiency and agility to E&I’s sourcing and solicitation processes. Discover the innovative strategies that led to this prestigious award and learn how E&I and GEP’s teamwork continues to drive impactful solutions in procurement.

Relevant Links:
Read the Press Release
CIPS Award
GEP Website

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

E&I Host:
Matt Levine, Category Marketing Manager, E&I
Eric Frank, CEO, E&I

Guest:
Tammy Rimes, Executive Director, NCPP

In this first episode of Cooperatively Speaking’s “Frankly Speaking” series, Matt Levine and Eric Frank welcome Tammy Rimes, Executive Director for the National Cooperative Procurement Partners to discuss their recent report about the true costs of RFPs. The quick summary – RFPs can often cost more than they are worth. During the interview, Tammy talks about the report, the data, and the findings while Eric provides insights into what this means for E&I members.

Relevant Links:
The True Costs of RFPs- A Summary
RFP Tracking Report - NCPP

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

E&I Host:
Allison Lambert, E&I Category Marketing Manager

Guest:
David Wheeler, Senior Director of Procurement, Orange County Public Schools

In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, David Wheeler, Senior Director of Procurement at Orange County Public Schools, joins E&I host Allison Lambert to discuss his team's experiences with cooperative contracts and the lessons learned along the way. David highlights how leveraging cooperatives, particularly for fleet maintenance and IT services, has helped streamline processes and overcome challenges. He also shares his insights on emerging trends like AI in procurement and the evolution of eProcurement platforms. David emphasizes the importance of continuous professional development for procurement professionals and encourages the continued growth of the field to keep pace with industry changes.

Relevant Links:
Orange County Public Schools Website
E&I's K-12 Commitment
E&I Website

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.