Speakers

Hugh Lee is a senior partner/shareholder of Tao Rossini, APC. Mr. Lee’s practice is primarily focused on representing and advising various public agencies including community college districts, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and non-profit organizations, in all aspects of public works construction law. This includes handling construction claims, disputes and litigation, construction contract administration, procurement, bidding and bid disputes, labor issues, and architectural malpractice. Mr. Lee advises clients in drafting construction-related documents including contracts and front-end documents for various construction delivery methods. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Lee practiced as an architect working for various architectural design firms.

Dr. Jake Smithwick is the Director of Education with the Center for Procurement Excellence and is a professor at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Jake and his team have assisted hundreds of owners improve performance outcomes across thousands of projects ($15+ Billion of procured services in healthcare, insurance, construction, IT, auxiliary services, design, and more). His industry experience also includes six years in the US Air Force Reserve (civil engineering squadron).

Jennifer Keiper currently serves as Senior Director of Procurement Services at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, where she oversees business development efforts and program operations for the CollegeBuys program. One of her key roles is to sustain core business lines, diversify procurement opportunities, improve operational efficiencies and lead the department’s compliance efforts. Jennifer and her team work closely with the Chancellor’s Office, the Advisory Group and key stakeholders across the 73 districts to ensure their needs are being reflected in systemwide agreements, while simultaneously collaborating with corporate and intersegmental partners to increase access and cost-savings for students, colleges, and the system as a whole. Jennifer has over ten years of experience in California’s public sector, eight of which have been dedicated to contracting in higher education within the CCC and UC systems. In her previous role as Contracts Officer for UC Davis Health, she was responsible for negotiating business contracts for UC Davis Medical Center, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing. Jennifer earned her bachelor of arts in political science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and her juris doctorate in public interest from UC Davis School of Law.

Jody Togonon is a Contract Compliance Officer for the San Francisco Community College District and manages the District’s numerous procurement contracts. He has been in this role since 2017 and previously worked for the San Francisco Mayor’s Office as a compliance officer. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Dominican University of California in San Rafael, California. Born and raised in the Bay Area, he currently resides in the East Bay with his wife and three children.

John Geraghty is the Controller at Riverside Community College District and he manages Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Central Cashiering, Asset Management, and Bookkeeping for Auxiliary services. John has 30 years of experience with 15 years in higher education and he has been at Riverside Community College District for the past five years. A technology enthusiast with a passion for optimizing systems, John has a deep interest in leveraging technology to streamline operations. Upon his arrival at RCCD, he found the Concur travel system installed but not yet fully optimized. He has since worked to enhance the system, transforming it into an efficient tool for managing travel through integrations with Concur, Bank of America, and Cal Travel. John earned his Associates degree in Business Administration from Pasadena City College. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge. John is a licensed CPA which he maintains in an active status.

Kyle Hyland, Director, Governmental Relations, supports the governmental relations team by coordinating legislative and policy issues of interest to School Services of California Inc.’s (SSC) clients. This includes representing client interests at all levels of government, performing research and analysis, developing conclusions, preparing communications and reports, preparing documents to support or oppose legislative or policy matters, and monitoring meetings of administrative and policymaking bodies. In his time with SSC, Kyle has provided timely information to the field about critical education issues in Sacramento by writing Fiscal Report and Community College Update articles, contributing to SSC’s “Top Legislative Issues” series, and producing the weekly Sacramento Update for legislative clients.

Majd Askar has served as the Vice President of Business Services at Moreno Valley College (MVC) since August 2021. In this leadership role, she manages a broad range of college operations, including facilities maintenance, campus safety, food services, bookstore management, building security systems, and technology services. Additionally, Askar plays an essential role in securing grant support and ensuring compliance with financial and contractual obligations. As a senior leader, she is dedicated to advancing MVC’s strategic goals while maintaining shared governance principles. With a robust background in Business Administration, Askar began her career in 2003 with the Riverside Unified School District. In 2010, she transitioned to the Riverside Community College District, where she climbed the ranks to become Purchasing Manager. In 2015, Askar was appointed Director of Business Services, overseeing the Budget and Purchasing departments, further solidifying her expertise in educational administration and resource management.

Maritza Rodriguez-Vivas has served as a Purchaser at City College of San Francisco since February 2017. With a strong background in procurement, she previously worked as a Purchaser for San Francisco State University. At CCSF, Maritza specializes in managing construction and Building & Grounds projects, including overseeing bids and issuing related Purchase Orders. She also administers the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCA) program and is responsible for the approval of Amazon orders, among many other duties. Maritza brings extensive experience, attention to detail, and a commitment to supporting the college’s operational and facilities needs.

Mark Hua is the Director of Purchasing, Contracts, and Risk Management at the Foothill-De Anza Community College District. With experience in procurement, contract administration, and risk management, Mark ensures compliance, efficiency, and strategic decision-making for the District. He specializes in managing complex agreements, overseeing competitive solicitations, and implementing risk mitigation strategies to support institutional goals. Beyond his professional role, Mark is dedicated to continuous learning and professional development. He also enjoys skiing, the great outdoors, and exploring new destinations with his wife and two children.

Mina Hernandez is the Director of Purchasing and Material Management at MiraCosta Community College District. She provides innovative leadership at MiraCosta which includes contracts administration and overseeing procurement, warehouse, mailroom and the copy center operations. Prior to MiraCosta, she was the Executive Director of General Services for West Valley-Mission Community College District. Mina is a statewide leader. She led the efforts in creating the Purchasing Guidebook and Purchasing-Facilities Guidebook, which serves as best practice guides for the California Community College System. Mina is a frequent presenter on topics related to innovation in procurement and contract management. She has led many efforts to streamline and modernize procurement practices at the various higher education institutions she has worked. In March 2021, she was selected by PlanetBids as an awardee for the annual Breaking Barriers award. In October 2021, she was awarded the CHEC Focus on Efficiency Award for leading the Purchasing-Facilities Guidebook, along with being awarded with her team for their modernization efforts with MiraCosta’s procurement processes during COVID-19. Mina graduated with a Master of Administration from Northern Arizona University in 2012. She has a multifaceted background, having worked in higher education administration for fifteen years and in the private sector as a legal professional for over a decade.