Cooperatively Speaking

Welcome to Cooperatively Speaking, a podcast by E&I Cooperative Services.
Each episode, we discuss the topics most important to procurement and end-users at schools and universities.

Season 4

Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
Procurement Unpacked: Lessons in Successful Procurement Decisions

Season: 4 | Episode: 14 | Category: K-12 Procurement, ProcurementAffairs

In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, David Wheeler, Senior Director of Procurement at Orange County Public Schools, joins host Sue Peters to share insider strategies on maximizing the power of cooperative contracts. From fleet maintenance to cutting-edge IT solutions, David reveals how his team has streamlined processes and tackled challenges using cooperative purchasing. He offers a forward-looking take on trends like AI in procurement and the evolution of eProcurement platforms. David also underscores the critical role of continuous professional development, inspiring procurement professionals to innovate and grow with this dynamic field.

Tune in to hear how today’s top procurement leaders are driving efficiency and future-proofing their organizations!

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
Commencement Elevated: The Oak Hall Experience

Season: 4 | Episode: 13 | Category: Student Affairs

In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Dennis talks with Lee Beekman and Paul LaRoche from Oak Hall Cap and Gown. Oak Hall specializes in high-quality graduation caps, gowns, and regalia. With a rich history of 135 years, Oak Hall emphasizes the importance of providing exceptional service, so each commencement ceremony is a memorable capstone event for students and their families. They also share insights into industry trends, highlighting a significant shift toward brand identity in regalia. Oak Hall also discusses how it builds its products from sustainable materials in its home state of Virginia.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

In this spooky podcast, David welcomes Frank Meek from Rollins-Orkin, to discuss common misconceptions and provide the facts about some creepy, crawly insects: bed bugs, cockroaches, and kissing bugs. An entomologist, Frank teaches us all about bed bugs, how they multiply and spread, and where they like to hide inside facilities. He offers advice to help educational institutions find and eliminate populations that may reside in schools, on campuses, and in student residences.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
Higher Ed Under Siege: Insights on Cybersecurity Trends from Pondurance

Season: 4 | Episode: 11 | Category: Technology

Max Henderson, Assistant VP of Digital Forensics at Pondurance, exposes the growing dangers of ransomware and cyber extortion. As cybercriminals become more organized, Max highlights the urgent need for proactive security and response plans. He shares the unsettling truth that even after ransoms are paid, data often remains exposed.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
The Savvy School Buyer: Navigating K-12 Procurement Strategies

Season: 4 | Episode: 10 | Category: K-12 Procurement, Procurement

In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, host Allison Lambert interviews Sue Peters from E&I Cooperative and they discuss strategies to modernize K-12 procurement. Learn how to streamline processes, overcome common challenges, and maximize savings using a ‘procure-to-pay’ approach. Perfect for anyone looking to optimize their district’s purchasing efficiency! 

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
Join us as E&I’s Dennis Hyde speaks with Nicholas Russo, Business Development Lead at B&H, about B&H’s new partnership with Apple in the higher education space. B&H is the new Apple-authorized reseller for higher education, offering institutions access to Apple products and services like AppleCare Plus, bulk purchasing, and asset tagging. This discussion tells how B&H delivers a competitive experience for schools looking to equip students and staff with cutting-edge technology.
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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

In this discussion with Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP), we explore the evolving role of sustainable business travel in higher education. This podcast covers the current travel sustainability landscape, tools for tracking and reducing travel emissions, and choosing an effective carbon offset provider. This podcast offers real-world examples of how institutions can align travel programs with sustainability goals.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

In the first episode of Cooperatively Speaking’s “From the Desk of” series, Matt Levine interviews Barry Swanson, Chief Procurement Officer at the University of Kentucky. Barry shares his career journey and insights on key priorities like construction budgets, healthcare spending, and economic engagement. He also discusses the shift to a service-oriented procurement model, the role of AI, and offers advice for young professionals entering the field.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

In this special 90th anniversary episode, E&I CEO Eric Frank reflects on the Cooperative’s journey from its founding during the Great Depression to its current innovations. Established in 1934 by procurement officers from Colgate, Cornell, and Syracuse University, E&I has grown through collective purchasing power and strategic advancements. Eric discusses E&I’s progress in data analytics, new education resources, and its strong culture and dedicated team, highlighting how these elements drive the organization’s continued success.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

Join Brian Kirk from Strata Information Group (SIG) to discuss the crucial elements of incident response planning in higher education. Discover the essentials of crafting an effective Incident Response Plan (IRP) and how compliance with GLBA requirements can protect student data. Brian also highlights the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures and the benefits of tabletop exercises in preparing your institution for potential threats.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

In part two of this series, David Manz welcomes Marc Heroux from Alert Labs, a provider available through the E&I Carrier Enterprise contract, to discuss water management problems and how to solve them. Water usage monitoring, damage prevention, remote water shutoff, and HVAC monitoring are covered. Marc explains how their products provide minute-to-minute water use analysis using AI and algorithms, and alert you of any deviations. Their platform helps find problems faster, resolve them quicker, and conserve water, which is very important.

Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

Join Reginald Layton and Ralph Moore from RGMA as we explore the nuanced differences between supplier diversity and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Gain valuable insights into strategies for effectively integrating both supplier diversity and DEI initiatives to foster a more inclusive and equitable business environment at your institution. The conversation sheds light on the distinct yet complementary roles each plays in driving meaningful change.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

In part one of this series, David welcomes Keaton Henry, an industry expert at Ferguson, for an insightful discussion about industrial smart devices from an HVAC standpoint, and leak detection devices from a plumbing standpoint. Keaton covers diagnosing mechanical issues using proactive rather than reactive methods. He highlights the importance of 24/7 monitoring, receiving real-time notifications, inexpensive and risk-free ways to monitor and measure air and water quality, best practices for education, and more.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

In part four of our Supplier Diversity Leadership Series, Titus and David welcome Reginald Layton, a renowned expert and Supplier Diversity thought leader.  Reginald provides a comprehensive guide for organizations on implementing supplier diversity best practices. He highlights the value proposition of supplier diversity for educational institutions, detailing five key reasons to adopt these practices. He also explores the strong alignment between supplier diversity and sustainability, explaining how both ecosystems support each other. 

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Season 3

Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

Join us for Part Three of our Supplier Diversity Series as Titus and David welcome Ralph G Moore, a veteran with over 40 years of experience and the founder of Ralph G Moore and Associates – a Chicago-based consulting firm recognized globally for supply diversity strategies and minority business development. 

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
Education & Remediation: Combating Fentanyl on Our Campuses

Season: 3 | Episode: 5 | Category: Facilities

The opioid crisis has far reaching implications on our country’s campuses. In this episode, David and our guest Tom Licker, Certified Environmental Infection Control Remediator and Certified BioRecovery Master, discuss the risks of fentanyl on campus and how important it is to be educated on how to remediate these spaces.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

Tune into the second part of Titus and David’s conversation with Reggie Williams, CEO of Procurement Resources and the individual who coined the phrase supplier diversity. Here, we cover what supplier diversity really means, best practices for growing your program with real-life examples, and why it’s critical to include diverse suppliers in your purchasing processes.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

Titus and David are joined by special guest Reggie Williams, CEO of Procurement Resources and the leader who coined the phrase supplier diversity. In this episode, we discuss the history of supplier diversity, including stakeholder capitalism, investing back into your community, the numbers behind why this is important, and what it truly means to have a real supplier diversity program.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

Join David for Part 2 of this two-part episode featuring Tammy Rimes, Executive Director of National Cooperative Procurement Partners. In this episode, we discuss what to look for when choosing a cooperative to partner with, trends and best practices, and ultimately how to make the most out of cooperative purchasing for your organization.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

Join David for Part 1 of this two-part episode featuring special guest Tammy Rimes, Executive Director of National Cooperative Procurement Partners. In this episode, we discuss what exactly is a purchasing cooperative and how cooperative contracts benefit procurement — and any buyers on your campus.

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Season 2

Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
Supplier Diversity & Holistic Value Creation

Season: 2 | Episode: 6 | Category: Diversity

How does supplier diversity impact a community — and specifically schools and universities — both socially and financially?

David and Titus deep dive into the definition of supplier diversity and what it means as a “holistic value creation” for educational institutions and the communities in which they operate.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

HireRight recently launched its 15th Annual Benchmark Report based on the responses of over 2,300 human resources and risk professionals worldwide who shared their experiences of background screening, talent acquisition, and remote working over the past year, as well as some predictions for the future.

In this episode, Joe and our guest deep dive into the findings of this report and what it means for schools.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

Not only is managing payment systems for each location on campus extremely complex, but it’s even harder to ensure all locations are following credit card processing and PCI compliance security requirements.

Joe and our guest discuss the best ways for schools to reduce costs and streamline payment processing, merchant support, and security to prevent credit card data breaches.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
Selecting the Right Battery for the Job in Your Facilities

Season: 2 | Episode: 3 | Category: Facilities

For many of us, the thought behind which batteries we choose may not go beyond selecting the type that will fit in the device.

In this episode, David and our guests discuss the different types of batteries that should be used for various applications, and why it’s so important to take the extra step to select the right product for the proper use from a trusted vendor.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
The Hidden Risk in Your Vendor Master

Season: 2 | Episode: 2 | Category: Financial

With 74% of organizations reporting they were the target of an actual or attempted payments fraud in 2020, the problem is well known — but not well understood.

In this episode, Joe and our guests discuss the common ways these frauds are successful using real-world examples from higher education and K-12 institutions.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
Breaking Down Funding for Facilities

Season: 2 | Episode: 1 | Category: Facilities

Since March 2020, Congress has allocated $264.5 billion for private, public, K-12, and higher education spending in response to the pandemic.

Much of these funds can be used for your facilities project — including construction — if you are able to justify the costs as being necessary to virus mitigation.

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Season 1

Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

Join us for part two of our discussion on supplier diversity within the education space. You’ll walk away from this episode with practical, tangible tips on how you can establish your program and build on it to make it truly great.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

Join us for part one of our two-part discussion on supplier diversity within the education space, particularly for facilities departments, EH&S, and other departments responsible for serving their campus.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast
IAQ: If It’s Important, You Measure It

Season: 1 | Episode: 2 | Category: Facilities

Join us for part two of our discussion on indoor air quality (IAQ) — and why if it’s important, you measure it. In this episode, Saul and David chat with Karl Stefan from Pure Air about best practices,  what people do right and wrong in their facilities, and key contributors to IAQ that you may not be quite aware of.

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Cooperatively Speaking Podcast

The need for good indoor air quality (IAQ) has been a topic for years, but COVID-19 significantly exposed deficiencies, challenges, and concerns surrounding IAQ.

Now, with facilities teams around the world discussing how to better clean their air, this area of facilities maintenance is more important than ever.

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Have an idea for an upcoming episode? We want to hear from you! Contact us at podcast@eandi.org.

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