By Rogers Coke, C.P.M.

Virginia (Vickki) Klingman, C.P.M., received the 2005 Ernie Waters Distinguished Service Award at the May 19, 2005 dinner meeting. The Ernie Waters Distinguished Service Award is the highest award that the National Association of Purchasing Management-Denver (NAPM-Denver) bestows on a member.

The award is presented to an individual who has:

• Demonstrated leadership, both in the Association and in the purchasing profession
• Provided outstanding service to the Association and to the purchasing profession
• Made contributions for the advancement of purchasing as a profession
• Experienced outstanding success in his or Him own position

The 2005 Selection Committee consisted of several previous recipients of the Ernie Waters Distinguished Service Award most of who are also past presidents of NAPM-Denver.   It was chaired again this year, by Rogers Coke, C.P.M. who received the award in 1981.   Members of the Selection Committee and (the year they received the Ernie Waters Distinguished Service Award) were:

• Carol Coke, NAPM-Denver (1990)
• Tom Sullivan - Arapahoe County (1994)
• Sally Erickson, C.P.M.   -   (1996)
• Jennifer Fowler, C.P.M.- (1998) Qwest Communications
• Doug Henninger, C.P.M. – (1999) Denver Water
• Sandra Schmitzer, C.P.M., A.P.P., CPPO (2000) - Jefferson County Schools
• Mary Ann Pittman, C.P.M., CPPO (2002) - University of Colorado at Boulder
• Steve Robles, C.P.M., CPIM (2004) – Seagate Corp

Vickki was born in Osceola, Nebraska. She graduated from high school in Bayard, Nebraska and received a Bachelors degree in Home Economics at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), and a Masters Degree in Food and Nutrition at UNC.

Vickki earned the Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) certification in 2000.

Vickki’s professional career has included the following:

• School Teacher - .Home Economics - Nebraska
• Worked for a bank in Greeley
• Managed Food Service at UNC
• Buyer of food at UNC
• Currently, Vickki is Director of Purchasing, UNC, a position she has held for 11 years.

Vickki joined NAPM – Denver in 1989.   Vickki has been very active in NAPM-Denver, holding the following positions:

• President
• President-Elect
• Member of the NAPM-D Board of Directors
• Secretary
• Vice President
• Past-President

Vickki has also been active in other organizations:

• Church
• Serves on the State of Colorado’s Procurement Advisory Committee

Vickki’s hobbies include dancing (twice a week, tap and ballet), travel, gardening, and reading. Vickki’s favorite foods are Mexican and Italian.

Vickki is married to Jim and their children are Christina and Kimberly.

Left, Vickki is shown with Jim, her husband, at the May 19, 2005 dinner meeting.






















Congratulations, Vickki, on receiving the Ernie Waters Distinguished Service Award.

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