MICHAEL STEVENSON has been appointed assistant director of purchase for the City of Syracuse. He is responsible for overseeing the procurement of all materials, services and construction needed by the city. Stevenson will design and implement procurement processes to comply with city ordinances and advise on updates to relevant policies and procedures. He will also work in close collaboration with the Division of Equity Compliance and Social Impact (DESCI) to ensure upcoming contracting opportunities are open and accessible to prospective Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) vendors. Stevenson’s work will increase clarity, transparency, standardization, and accountability around procurement processes to reduce the contracting timeline, lower costs, increase competition, expand supplier diversity opportunities and improve the results of contracted services. He has more than 10 years of experience in project management and procurement. Prior to joining the city, Stevenson worked as a purchase associate for SUNY Upstate Medical University, where we provided contract management, participated in review of procurement policy and procedures, prepared bid packages, and managed procurement of materials for the hospital. Stevenson also worked as a contracts and procurement specialist at LIFEPlan CCO NY LLC, where he initiated and directed the request-for-proposal process, evaluated vendor proposals, negotiated pricing, and oversaw contract drafting and execution. Stevenson earned his bachelor’s degree from LeMoyne College and a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in health care.