Workshop: Maricopa County Vendor University (CATALYST)
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Maricopa County buys $750M in goods, services and construction each year.
Kevin Tyne has been the Director of the Maricopa County Office of Procurement since 2016.
Over that time, Kevin has led the agency to many successes including:
- Improved department productivity (OPS is doing more now w/ less staff).
- Expansion of the agency outreach and training efforts (direct interaction to our customers out in the community).
- Added efficiencies to reduce costs and improve services (solicitations are all handled via e-procurement system).
The result:
By 2026, OPS is now more transparent and accessible. The agency recently received several awards including the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute which recognizes organizational excellence to public and non-profit procurement agencies.
Prior to leading Procurement Services, Kevin previously served as Chief of Staff to former Governor Jan Brewer, Chief of Staff to former Supervisor Andy Kunasek and Supervisor Max Wilson. He was Director of the State Department of Weights and Measures for 5 years, and prior to that Kevin served on Capitol Hill for Senator Bob Dole (KS) and Congresswoman Susan Molinari (NY).
Lisa Bernhardt
With over 25 years of private and public sector finance and procurement management experience Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge about procurement requirements, county processes and industry trends and best practices. Lisa has been certified by the National Institute of Government Purchasing and the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council. Lisa is the County's E-Procurement platform system administrator and has been providing outreach and education to small businesses and county departments in order to spread the word that the county is OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
Ryan Dixon is the Small Business Advocate for Maricopa County Office of Procurement Services. Ryan leads the Maricopa County Small and Local Business Advocacy Program, helping small and local businesses win county business, and educating county departments on their impactful procurement options. In her time with the county, Ryan has overseen a sharp increase in program participation, represented OPS across the County, and advocated for small business opportunities in local government procurement. Ryan's professional experience prior to OPS, included leading partnerships and media appearances for the Arizona Small Business Association.
She proudly claims a career history wholly dedicated to serving and uplifting the Arizona small business community.
This workshop is made possible, in part, by these Foundation Donors:Join us for Vendor University! You won't want to miss this event on doing business with Maricopa County. Maricopa County Office of Procurement Services experts will go over Vendor Registration in the e-procurement platform, finding and responding to solicitations, and what to do once you've been awarded a contract. Join us for tips and strategies to find and keep county business!
Please bring your laptop, tablet, or other electronical device so you are able to register as the team presents. This has greatly helped past event attendees and will ensure you are getting any and all questions answered about registering.
Presented by Chief Procurement Officer Kevin Tyne, Procurement Services Administrator Lisa Bernhardt CPPO, and Small Business Advocate Ryan Dixon; with opening remarks from Maricopa County District One Supervisor Mark Stewart.
Mark Stewart is a devoted family man, a successful small business owner, and a passionate public servant who believes the most effective government operates minimally yet efficiently, with the community’s best interests at heart.
Before his election to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Mark served on the Chandler City Council, where he championed initiatives that prioritized safe neighborhoods, community engagement, and economic growth. His leadership focused on creating spaces where businesses could thrive, families could feel secure, and citizens could connect.
As a member of the Board of Supervisors, Mark is committed to people-centered governance that enhances quality of life, drives sustainable growth, and upholds the core values of the community. His dedication to transparent and accountable leadership ensures that Maricopa County remains a place where residents and businesses flourish.
Please bring your laptop, tablet, or other electronical device so you are able to register as the team presents. This has greatly helped past event attendees and will ensure you are getting any and all questions answered about registering.
Presented by Chief Procurement Officer Kevin Tyne, Procurement Services Administrator Lisa Bernhardt CPPO, and Small Business Advocate Ryan Dixon; with opening remarks from Maricopa County District One Supervisor Mark Stewart.
Mark Stewart is a devoted family man, a successful small business owner, and a passionate public servant who believes the most effective government operates minimally yet efficiently, with the community’s best interests at heart.
Before his election to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Mark served on the Chandler City Council, where he championed initiatives that prioritized safe neighborhoods, community engagement, and economic growth. His leadership focused on creating spaces where businesses could thrive, families could feel secure, and citizens could connect.
As a member of the Board of Supervisors, Mark is committed to people-centered governance that enhances quality of life, drives sustainable growth, and upholds the core values of the community. His dedication to transparent and accountable leadership ensures that Maricopa County remains a place where residents and businesses flourish.
Kevin Tyne has been the Director of the Maricopa County Office of Procurement since 2016.
Over that time, Kevin has led the agency to many successes including:
- Improved department productivity (OPS is doing more now w/ less staff).
- Expansion of the agency outreach and training efforts (direct interaction to our customers out in the community).
- Added efficiencies to reduce costs and improve services (solicitations are all handled via e-procurement system).
The result:
By 2026, OPS is now more transparent and accessible. The agency recently received several awards including the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute which recognizes organizational excellence to public and non-profit procurement agencies.
Prior to leading Procurement Services, Kevin previously served as Chief of Staff to former Governor Jan Brewer, Chief of Staff to former Supervisor Andy Kunasek and Supervisor Max Wilson. He was Director of the State Department of Weights and Measures for 5 years, and prior to that Kevin served on Capitol Hill for Senator Bob Dole (KS) and Congresswoman Susan Molinari (NY).
Lisa Bernhardt
With over 25 years of private and public sector finance and procurement management experience Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge about procurement requirements, county processes and industry trends and best practices. Lisa has been certified by the National Institute of Government Purchasing and the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council. Lisa is the County's E-Procurement platform system administrator and has been providing outreach and education to small businesses and county departments in order to spread the word that the county is OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
Ryan Dixon is the Small Business Advocate for Maricopa County Office of Procurement Services. Ryan leads the Maricopa County Small and Local Business Advocacy Program, helping small and local businesses win county business, and educating county departments on their impactful procurement options. In her time with the county, Ryan has overseen a sharp increase in program participation, represented OPS across the County, and advocated for small business opportunities in local government procurement. Ryan's professional experience prior to OPS, included leading partnerships and media appearances for the Arizona Small Business Association.
She proudly claims a career history wholly dedicated to serving and uplifting the Arizona small business community.
When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By attending, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction, including but not limited to marketing, promotional purposes, publication, distribution, and public display, without further authorization or compensation.
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Workshop: Maricopa County Vendor Univ...
Date and Time
Tuesday Aug 4, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM MST
Location
The CATALYST
119 N. Gilbert Road, Ste. 102
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Fees/Admission
FREE Workshop
Advance Registration Required
Contact Information
Elaine Kessler
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