Lexington, KY – The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) and the Procurement Professionals Alliance (PPA) are excited to announce new partnerships with the Western Association of College and University Business Officers (WACUBO) and the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO). The agreement marks a significant step in bridging the public procurement and higher education business communities, advancing shared goals around compliance, value and professional development.
WACUBO and SACUBO are regional affiliates of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), serving hundreds of colleges and universities across the western and southern United States. Both associations are dedicated to promoting professional standards and institutional effectiveness for higher education business officers – missions that closely align with NASPO and PPA’s commitment to advancing ethical and innovative procurement practices across the public sector.
“Higher education institutions navigate many of the same procurement challenges as state agencies – compliance, cost savings, supplier relationships, and the constant pressure to do more with less,” said Lindle Hatton, Chief Executive Officer of NASPO and PPA. “Partnering with WACUBO and SACUBO gives us the opportunity to share knowledge, resources, and solutions across two communities that have much to learn from one another.”
“One of PPA’s core goals is to create spaces where procurement leaders from every corner of the procurement world can come together, share challenges, and drive the profession forward,” said Jaime Schorr, Chief Growth Officer of PPA. “Having WACUBO and SACUBO at the table means richer conversations and more impactful outcomes for everyone involved.”
“Initiating a partnership with the National Association of State Procurement Officers (NASPO) and Procurement Professionals Alliance unlocks entirely new doors for collaboration and marks a transformative step forward in our mission to elevate the industry of Higher Education through professional development,” noted Debbie M Walker, SACUBO President.
“WACUBO is excited to formalize our partnership with NASPO and PPA. By connecting higher education business officers with procurement expertise and cooperative contracting resources, this relationship creates meaningful opportunities for professional development and peer exchange,” said the WACUBO Board of Directors. “We look forward to building on this foundation together.”
The partnership is expected to open new avenues for collaboration, including shared professional development resources and opportunities for higher education procurement leaders to engage with the broader public procurement landscape.
About NASPO: NASPO® is a non–profit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members achieve success as public procurement leaders through the promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies.www.naspo.org
About the Procurement Professionals Alliance: The Procurement Professionals Alliance (PPA) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association dedicated to advancing the procurement profession through collaboration, education, and innovation. Launched in August 2025, PPA unites procurement professionals nationwide under the principle “Elevating the Industry. Unifying the Profession.” Through its commitment to integrity, collaboration, and continuous growth, PPA empowers professionals to shape a more connected, knowledgeable, and empowered industry that honors its heritage while forging a bold future. Membership is open to all procurement professionals and stakeholders. For more information, visit www.joinppa.org.
About SACUBO: The Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO) was founded in 1928 to inform higher education institutions in the southern region of the United States of issues that affect higher education. SACUBO’s mission is to contribute to superior higher education financial and administrative services by providing relevant professional development, thought leadership, and issue advocacy.
About WACUBO: Since 1937, the Western Association of College and University Business Officers (WACUBO) has offered business officers in the western region opportunities to develop professionally, to identify solutions for issues affecting higher education, and to share their expertise with their colleagues. Our membership includes institutions in 14 western United States, three Canadian Provinces, Mexico and other Pacific Rim nations.
Media Contact:
Kate Davila
kdavila@naspo.org