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FOR RELEASE: April 26, 2010

ISM Names Persons of the Year

Supply chain professionals honored for their contributions to their affiliates and the profession.

(Tempe, Ariz.) April 26, 2010 — Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) has announced its Persons of the Year Awards, honoring those who have made significant contributions to ISM and the supply management profession. Winners were recognized at an appreciation breakfast today during ISM's 95th Annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit, in San Diego. Persons of the Year Awards recognize excellence in the areas of Education/Learning, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Marketing/Communicating and Volunteerism. The 2009 ISM Persons of the Year recipients are:

Education/Learning Person of the Year
Gurpreet Singh, CPSM, C.P.M., ISM—New Jersey, Inc.
Among the accomplishments that earned Singh Person of the Year status was his success in tailoring monthly meetings to meet the needs of the majority of members. He surveyed affiliate members to identify current trends and topics of interest, then chose speakers with suitable expertise to deliver progams on subjects such as Six Sigma, social networking, legal sourcing and strategic sourcing. Singh also selected meeting locations that were central to the vast majority of members and potential members, which minimized drive times and encouraged greater attendance.

Innovation/Creativity Person of the Year
Debora J. Csontos, CPSM, C.P.M., ISM—New Jersey, Inc.
Csontos is a catalyst for team-building and esprit de corps. She actively seeks out new members to welcome them and make them feel part of the organization. Csontos spearheaded efforts to promote and educate affiliate members about ISM's Certified Professional in Supply Management® (CPSM®) credential. She has also employed various Web-based and distance-learning technologies to allow members to access knowledge and information, regardless of time, location or budget constraints.

Leadership Person of the Year
Cindy L Dahl, C.P.M., CPPO, NAPM—Lake Superior, Inc.
Dahl organized a hugely successful one-day leadership training seminar for local affiliate members and business professionals. The event was hosted by a local business, where a capacity crowd heard from a nationally recognized expert and trainer. Dahl also took the lead to learn all she could about the Certified Professional in Supply Management® (CPSM®) program. When the pilot program was offered to affiliates in early 2009, Dahl made sure NAPM—Lake Superior, Inc. was a participant in pilot-testing efforts.

Marketing/Communicating Person of the Year
Shawn M. Lynch, NAPM—Greater Syracuse, Inc.
Lynch is admired for his ability to leverage the affiliate Web site and newsletter for maximum results. He kept the affiliate Web site current, relevant and engaging by posting photos of meetings, programs and activities. He consistently generated excitement for programs and products and services through coordinated communications through the affiliate Web site and newsletter. Lynch approached his volunteer role strategically and developed a business plan to help guide marketing committee members.

Volunteer Person of the Year
Kim K. Wren, A.P.P., NAPM—Houston, Inc.
Wren developed an affiliate handbook which included pictures of board volunteers and a description of their roles, a calendar of events and a mission statement, as well as information on several unique affiliate awards programs. She also developed a recruitment brochure in cooperation with the career services chair and marketing chair. She provided support and encouragement to unemployed affiliate members by working with the affiliate's career services chair to start pre-meetings with a focus on job placement skills.

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 a not-for-profit membership association serving more than 40,000 supply management professionals in 75 countries. ISM offers credentialing to professionals around the world with the Certified Professional in Supply Management® (CPSM®) qualification. ISM is a member of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM).


Media Contact:
ISM Public Relations
800/888-6276
Jean McHale, extension 3143
jmchale@ism.ws