Awards & Recognition
Idaho Public Purchasing Association has established the Awards and Recognition Program for the purpose of recognizing those IPPA members who have demonstrated significant contributions and individual outstanding achievement to the field of public procurement. Members are recognized through the Buyer and Manager of the Year annual awards. Also, in 2013 the IPPA Board voted to establish the "Founders Award" in memory of Frank Pierce to recognize members who have rendered distinguished service to the public procurement profession and/or IPPA.
GUIDELINES & PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS:
Guidelines for Individual Award Nominations
Congratulations to our 2026 Individual Award Winners!
2026 Professional Buyer of the Year - Caylie Hansen, Contract Officer at the Idaho Transportation Department
Caylie Hansen is a Contract Officer with the Idaho Transportation Department who focuses on helping staff understand and apply Idaho's purchasing rules in a practical way. She regularly provides guidance on the use of state contracts, spending limits, and day-to-day procurement decisions, making complex requirements easier for end users to navigate.
Caylie is a frequent presenter at the ITD Annual Administrative Summit, where she teaches topics on small purchasing processes and P-Card compliance. She also leads regular supply meetings and serves as a go-to resource for staff across the agency.
In addition to her work at ITD, Caylie has supported the procurement profession through involvement with the Idaho Public Purchasing Association (IPPA), including volunteering on a committee and serving as Director at Large.
2026 Professional Procurement Manager of the Year - Cathy Wright, Procurement Manger at the West Ada School District
Cathy Wright serves as the Procurement Manager for West Ada School District, where she leads purchasing operations that support 59 schools and thousands of students, educators, and staff across the district. Known for her thoughtful leadership style, Cathy brings a calm, collaborative approach to complex challenges and is widely respected for her ability to bring people together to find practical, ethical solutions.
Cathy grew up just outside Cascade, Idaho, where her family still lives today. Those small-town roots shaped her strong work ethic, sense of community, and commitment to public service—values that continue to guide her work every day.
Since joining West Ada in 2013, Cathy has strengthened the district’s procurement practices through strategic sourcing, policy development, and transparent communication with stakeholders. She authored and maintains the district’s procurement manual, rewrote key legal terms and conditions to reduce risk, and oversees millions of dollars in contracts each year to ensure taxpayer resources are used responsibly and effectively.
Cathy is also a trusted resource beyond her own district. She regularly shares her expertise with other school districts across Idaho, offering guidance on procurement best practices, legislative considerations, and cooperative purchasing strategies. Her dedication to ethical procurement and collaborative problem-solving has made her a valued partner throughout the public procurement community.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Boise State University and maintains both the Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and NIGP Certified Procurement Professional credentials. Cathy also serves as Treasurer for the Idaho Public Procurement Association and remains actively involved in community and volunteer leadership.
Whether supporting her district, mentoring peers, or serving her community, Cathy exemplifies the professionalism, integrity, and commitment to service that define the IPPA Professional Manager of the Year.
Award Descriptions
Professional Buyer of the Year
This award shall be presented to an IPPA member from the rank and file of buyer or purchaser, as selected by the designated committee. It shall be awarded to the individual who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and has contributed significantly to the field of public procurement during the calendar year.
Professional Procurement Manager of the Year
This award shall be presented to an IPPA member from the rank and file of procurement manager or supervisor, as selected by the designated committee. It shall be awarded to the individual who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and has contributed significantly to the field of public procurement during the calendar year.
Frank Pierce “Founders Award”
In 2013, the IPPA Board voted to establish the Founders Award in memory of Frank Pierce, one of our founding members, to recognize members who have rendered distinguished service to the public procurement profession and/or IPPA. The award will be granted up to one time per year.
This award shall be presented to an IPPA member who demonstrated outstanding leadership and accomplishment in the field of professional public procurement. The Awards Committee shall accept nominations and the awardee shall be selected by the current IPPA Board. The awardee shall be honored with a plaque and his/her nameplate on the association wall plaque at the Annual Spring Meeting, or other meeting as identified by the Board, with the name of the awardee being undisclosed until that time. This award may or may not be presented annually as it is intended only for those IPPA procurement professionals that have truly been a contributor, leader, innovator, and ongoing member committed to the profession.
General Criteria:
- Two years as a member of IPPA and board member experience preferred.
- Provides vision, inspiration, structure, and direction to IPPA and its initiatives that result in the increase of membership and/or association visibility.
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Introduced innovative ideas for public procurement and/or the association for the betterment of the members.
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