FOR RELEASE: November 18, 2008

Media Contacts:
ISM Public Relations
Lindsey Yentes
800/888-6276, extension 3087
lyentes@ism.ws

Jean McHale
800/888-6276, extension 3143
jmchale@ism.ws

Jacques Felix Carden, CPSM, C.P.M, is first to earn ISM’s new qualification.

(Tempe, Ariz.) November 18, 2008 - Paving the way for supply management professionals in France, Jacques Felix Carden, CPSM, C.P.M., is the first to earn the Certified Professional in Supply Management^® (CPSM^®), a new designation designed to help prepare supply managers for broader levels of responsibility. Institute for Supply Management^™ (ISM) launched the CPSM^® during its 93rd Annual International Supply Management Conference in May 2008.

In order to earn the CPSM^®, Carden had to meet all the criteria established by ISM for earning the qualification, including:

• Three years of full-time professional supply management experience (nonclerical or nonsupport)
• A clear statement from a specific country's higher learning and accrediting body concerning a degree's equivalency or a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Pass all three CPSM^® Exams, or take the bridge exam if already a Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) in good standing

The CPSM^® represents the highest degree of professional competencies, containing the most comprehensive body of knowledge, and is designed to lead the profession by emphasizing the main components of supply management. Professionals who obtain the CPSM^® will have an advanced level of broad-based skills to make better decisions regarding their organization's supply network, including how to take full advantage of opportunities around the world. For additional information on the CPSM^® program and exam preparation materials, or to sign up for CPSM^® e-mail updates, log on to www.ism.ws/certification and select Certified Professional in Supply Management^® (CPSM^®) Program.

As the largest supply management institute in the world, the mission of Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is to lead supply management. By executing and extending its mission through education, research, standards of excellence, influence building and information dissemination — including the renowned monthly ISM Report On Business^® — ISM continues to extend the global impact of supply management. ISM is proud to recognize professional excellence in supply management with awards such as the ISM R. Gene Richter Awards for Leadership and Innovation in Supply Management and the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award. ISM's membership base includes more than 40,000 supply management professionals in 75 countries. Supply management professionals are responsible for trillions of dollars in the purchases of products and services annually. ISM is a member of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM).

ISM defines supply management as the identification, acquisition, access, positioning and management of resources and related capabilities the organization needs or potentially needs in the attainment of its strategic objectives. Further, supply management is: future oriented, senior-management critical, strategic in relation to the competitive imperatives of the organization, and a significant contributor to marketplace intelligence and profitability. Components included under the supply management umbrella are: purchasing/procurement; strategic sourcing; logistics; quality; inventory control; materials management; warehousing; transportation/traffic/shipping; disposition/investment recovery; distribution; receiving; packaging; product/service development and manufacturing supervision.

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