Speakers

Amy Sterry, CPA is the Director of Purchasing and Contract Services for the Contra Costa Community College District. With more than 18 years of experience in accounting and finance, Amy brings a strong financial, legal, and risk-management perspective to public procurement. Her background includes senior financial leadership roles in the construction industry, where she oversaw competitive procurement, negotiated contract terms, strengthened internal controls, and ensured regulatory compliance. A California Certified Public Accountant, Amy is known for her practical, detail-oriented approach to procurement and her commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Angelic Davis, Director of Purchasing, Printing and Mail Services at Mt. San Antonio College, has over 20 years of experience in procurement, 16 years of which have been spent in public procurement. Angelic has gained valuable experience and knowledge working for diverse agencies in various roles in public procurement, including the City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department, the City of Moreno Valley, and most recently at Mt. San Antonio College, the largest single campus community college district in California. In addition to her vast experience, Angelic holds a Master’s of Public Administration, is a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), and has also obtained NIGP-Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP) certification. Angelic is also a member of the Foundation of California Community College’s (FCCC) CollegeBuys Advisory Group, serves as co-chair for the Southern California Community College’s Purchasing Association (SCCCPA), co-chair of the CollegeBuys Facilities Modernization Workgroup, co-chair of the CollegeBuys Professional Development Workgroup, and is past Chapter Chair of the Inland Empire Chapter of California Association of Public Procurement Officials (CAPPO).

Aris Hovasapian brings over 18 years of experience supporting energy programs at educational institutions and agencies. Aris joined the Foundation for California Community Colleges in September 2025, after three years consulting for multiple California community colleges, advising on clean energy policy, planning, and sustainability initiatives. Previously, as LACCD’s Utility Program Manager, he supported energy, utilities, and sustainability efforts across nine colleges, overseeing utility data, solar PV contracts, utility relationships, and incentive programs. Aris authored and championed LACCD’s landmark Clean Energy and Sustainability Resolution, adopted in July 2020, which commits LACCD to 100% carbon-free operations by 2040.

Christopher Fallon is a partner at Liebert Cassidy Whitmore and provides representation and legal counsel to community college districts, special districts, public and independent schools, and non-profit entities. His practice focuses on matters pertaining to business and facilities including general vendor contracts, construction contracts, property issues, and various business issues. Christopher has substantial experience assisting clients in all manners of their business, transactional, contract, and property needs. He prepares, reviews, and negotiates contracts on behalf of clients in numerous fields, including vendor, services, purchasing, construction-related, lease, and employment agreements.

Frank Padilla is a Public Sector professional with over 21 years in planning and directing business operations related to budget formulation and management, facilities planning and construction, human resources, procurement and contracts management. He has worked for various public agencies including the Los Angeles Unified School District, City of Glendale, and is currently with the Los Angeles Community College District in the Facilities Planning and Development department. He holds both a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Master's degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge.

With over 37 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Garth Kwiecien brings a wealth of administrative and financial expertise to every role he undertakes. A seasoned professional in procurement management, Garth has led teams, established priorities and timelines, and ensured strict compliance with laws, policies, and procedures—all while aligning operations with the broader mission and goals of the agencies he serves. Garth holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science, equipping him with the knowledge and analytical skills to lead complex administrative functions, design and implement programs from the ground up, and navigate the challenges of fiscal constraints and post-recession environments. Over the past two decades, Garth has worked as a contract administrator, senior administrator, supervisor, manager, director, consultant, and most recently, as a Senior Director. In these roles, he has directly managed or overseen the development and issuance of over 2,500 RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, RFBs, contract amendments, and change orders—from initial advertisement to final close-out.

Glenn Aguon is the Assistant Director of Procurement and Contracts Services at San Joaquin Delta College, with four years of experience in higher education procurement. He brings over 20 years of contracting and purchasing experience across both the private and public sectors, offering a practical and well rounded perspective on procurement operations. Glenn currently serves as the Chapter Chair for the CAPPO Delta Chapter and is focused on process improvement, collaboration, and supporting peers navigating procurement within California community colleges.

Jennifer Alford is a strategic procurement leader dedicated to building high performing teams and advancing organizational transformation across public institutions. She serves as the Director of Purchasing, Contracts, and Auxiliary Services at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California, bringing more than 20 years of public-sector experience spanning local government and higher education. Throughout her career, Jennifer has led major institutional initiatives, including three construction bond programs, technology optimization and enhancement efforts, and a full ERP implementation. She excels in building strategic, collaborative teams that advance organizational mission, values, and long term goals. Jennifer’s expertise includes change management, policy development, risk management, emergency preparedness, and operational effectiveness. Jennifer is a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) and has satisfied the requirements for the NIGP-Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP CPP) credential. She is an active member of several procurement associations, serves on the CollegeBuys Advisory Group, and was recently installed as the 2026–2027 President of the California Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. (CAPPO)—the first president to represent higher education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in Spanish, from UC Santa Barbara, followed by a master’s degree in professional counseling from Argosy University in Atlanta.

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.