UTEP Purchasing Team Members Honored by UT System
Recent honors awarded to the UTEP Purchasing and General Services team demonstrate that excellence pervades every corner of The University of Texas at El Paso.
At this year’s University of Texas System Supply Chain Alliance Power of Collaboration Conference, the alliance recognized the following individuals for their achievements and contributions.
Diane N. De Hoyos, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Purchasing and General Services and Chief Procurement Officer and a UTEP alumna, earned the prestigious Jerry A. Fuller Lifetime Achievement Award. This significant award, named after the former Director of Contracts and Procurement for the UT System, was established to recognize UT System supply chain and procurement leaders with more than 10 years of service to a UT System institution and can only be nominated by another Chief Procurement Officer from a UT System Institution. The criteria includes having made an important contribution in support of the Alliance and to the purchasing profession and is in recognition for excellence innovation and leadership.
Benjamin Alvarez, a UTEP alumnus and purchasing director of strategic planning and HUB coordinator, received the HUB Advocate of the Year Award. The award is given for demonstrated excellence in promoting equal opportunity for historically underserved businesses to supply goods and services to UT System institutions.
Irma Zavaleta Castillo, a contract administrator, and Sofia Fons, a UTEP alumna and buyer on the purchasing staff team, were honored with Rising Star Awards. This award is given to groups or individuals who demonstrate innovation, leadership and dedication.
“These awards are a testament to the commitment and dedication of the great team I have the privilege of leading,” De Hoyos said. “I am proud to be a UTEP alum and serve our campus community.”
The UT System Supply Chain Alliance was created to leverage the collective size and strength of UT System institutions through cooperative purchasing. Its mission is to provide reliable and sustainable solutions for the purchase and delivery of equipment, services and supplies to support the core missions of education, patient care and research at UT System institutions.
Since 2012, the alliance has held an annual Power of Collaboration Conference that brings together over 100 UT System supply chain, procurement, Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program, and accounts payable professionals for the purpose of sharing best practices and understanding new industry standards.
In total, seven members of UTEP’s Purchasing and General Services Administration, including this year’s winners, have been honored with Rising Star Awards. The previous winners are:
- 2017 – Erika Rosales
- 2018 – Michael Lau
- 2020 – Denise Rodriguez
- 2021 – Cecilia Cantu Humphreys
- 2022 – Gonzalo Gonzalez
Other awards previously earned by the UTEP Purchasing and General Services team include the 2020 Golden Link award, which De Hoyos received. This award recognizes an outstanding individual who goes above and beyond in advocating and promoting the core mission of the UT System Supply Chain Alliance. Also in 2020, the UTEP Purchasing and General Services team was recognized with the Campus Spirit Award as an institution that promotes ideas that spark new initiatives, motivates colleagues and displays a strong sense of leadership.
Last Updated on December 01, 2023 at 12:00 AM | Originally published December 01, 2023
By Mario Vazquez UTEP Marketing and Communications
