5/1/98
ATHENS, Ohio -- Pam Vander Ark, assistant director of alumni services in Ohio University's Office of Alumni Relations since December 1996, is the university's new director of purchasing
Vander Ark begins her new job on Monday (May 4). She replaces Mike Worley, who retired from the university in December. Former Provost James Bruning has been serving as interim director of the office.
Vander Ark will supervise a staff of 12 responsible for procuring all goods and services used by the university. A former executive director of the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau for six years, she earned bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from Ohio University.
"Serving as director of purchasing is an exciting opportunity," Vander Ark said. "I look forward to helping my alma mater institute new systems which will be customer-friendly and cost-effective. I hope to use staff expertise and creative planning to make Ohio University a leader in the field of institutional purchasing."
The Purchasing Office unveiled the first phase of a new purchasing card program for faculty and staff in January. It is aimed at lowering the transaction cost of acquirin g goods and services, reducing paperwork, and speeding up the flow of accounting information.
As executive director of the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vander Ark served on several statewide boards, including Gov. George Voinovich's Tourism Advisory Committee and as chair of a tourism highway signage committee. She also has served as an officer on the board of the Ohio Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus.