Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood It's More than Just Buying: The Hidden World of Procurement with Angela Shell and David Gragan
Aug 18, 2025
David Gragan, a former Chief Strategic Operations Officer at NASPO, and Angela Shell, Chief Procurement Officer for California, dive into the hidden world of procurement. They discuss the critical role procurement plays in modern government tasks, from emergency management to infrastructure projects. The duo highlights the need for effective training and public trust in procurement, while advocating for the professionalization of the workforce. They also share innovative practices and insights into how procurement can be both a fulfilling career and a driver of community service.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Procurement Is The Engine Of Public Spending
- Not a single dollar outside of salaries is spent without a contract in place.
- Procurement is where policy directives become actionable through contracts.
Workforce Turnover Raises Institutional Risk
- Rapid change and a shifting workforce make procurement harder to sustain.
- New hires often lack institutional knowledge and must be taught procurement's institutions.
Balance Control And Service Delivery
- Procurement must balance a control function with being frictionless for clients.
- Good procurement safeguards public trust while enabling agencies to deliver visible services.