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.

Since 2001, Angela has worked in some aspect of procurement for Antelope Valley Community College District. She started in the District’s bookstore as an hourly employee and currently serves as Director of Purchasing & Contracts. She looks forward to the daily challenges of procurement and presenting innovative ways to make processes more fluid for her District. Her coworkers (and possibly the entire District) may say she’s a little obsessed with Halloween, but over the last 10 years and several decorating awards, even the most disenchanted look forward to her yearly production.

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).

Dr. Anthony Maciel is the Associate Vice President / Chief Information Systems Officer at MiraCosta Community College District where he oversees the Information Technology Services division. With an educational background in engineering, management, and higher education leadership, his IT management career expands over two decades with a successful record implementing complex enterprise-level systems that transform education and create more equitable opportunities for students. Dr. Maciel is a technology visionary leveraging technology to improve student success, enhance academic programs, and increase operational efficiencies while ensuring IT systems are secured and data safeguarded. He is well-versed in the complex state and federal IT regulatory compliance California community colleges operate in.

April Graham is the Executive Director, Contract, Procurement, and Risk Management Services for the Santa Clarita Community College District. She has over sixteen years’ of hands-on contract experience, including education, healthcare, and medical laboratory agreements. April is highly regarded by her colleagues for her can-do approach and takes special pride in helping others, especially when they have unique purchasing or contract needs. She oversees over $30 million in District Purchase Orders each year, and her department was recently awarded the 2021 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute, which was 1 of only 12 higher education organizations in the United States and Canada to receive the award. She currently serves as an alternate Board member on the Statewide Association of Community Colleges (SWACC). She is the Vice Chair of the SWACC Claims & Coverage Committee, and she was recently appointed to the Schools Association For Excess Risk (“SAFER”) Board of Directors. She earned her Associate’s degree in Social Science at College of the Canyons, and then went on to graduate with honors from California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Studies, with a minor in Public Administration.

April Marin is the Executive Director, Contract, Procurement, and Risk Management Services for the Santa Clarita Community College District. She has almost twenty years of hands-on contract experience, including education, healthcare, and medical laboratory agreements. April is highly regarded by her colleagues for her can-do approach and takes special pride in helping others, especially when they have unique purchasing or contract needs. She oversees approximately $50 million in Purchase Orders each year, and her department was recently awarded the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute for the fourth year in a row. She currently serves as an alternate Board member on the Statewide Association of Community Colleges (SWACC). She is the Vice Chair of the SWACC Claims & Coverage Committee, and she represents California community colleges on the Schools Association for Excess Risk (“SAFER”) Board of Directors. She earned her Associate’s degree in Social Science at College of the Canyons, and then went on to graduate with honors from California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Studies, with a minor in Public Administration.

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.

Ms. Zavian Co-Founded PlanetBids in 1998 along with her life and business partner, Alan Zavian, a Certified WBE and SBE California corporation, with the vision of streamlining the procurement and contracting processes of governmental agencies. As President, Ms. Zavian is primarily involved in strategic planning of its products and overall management of PlanetBids. With over 30 years of experience and knowledge in consulting with government, Ms. Zavian is a recognized leader in the eProcurement industry.

Today, PlanetBids is proud to provide its third-generation cloud-based best-in class and innovative suite of eProcurement modules known as the PB System™ to the public sector that are user friendly and cost effective with unique configurable characteristics. PlanetBids serves over 300 public agencies nationwide with over 400,000 unique vendors and contractors in its database.

Ms. Zavian holds a B.S. degree in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

BB Boynton is a Buyer at MiraCosta College. He holds a Master of Science in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific and has almost 15 years of procurement experience in both private and public sectors. In his 7 years with at MiraCosta, he is responsible for Public Works/Construction, Contract Administration, and procurement of Instructional and Non-instructional Equipment.

Beau Oliver is a results-driven commercial payments professional with over 24 years in the financial institution industry. Specializing in B2B payments, he partners with public sector clients to optimize spend management, enhance procurement processes and drive efficiency through innovative card programs. At Bank of America, Beau helps public sector organizations implement commercial, purchasing, travel and virtual card solutions that improve financial controls and streamline operations. With expertise in policy compliance, risk management and payment automation, he delivers tailored strategies that align with the unique financial needs and constraints of the public sector.

Beau earned a degree in public administration from San Diego State University. As a new father he enjoys spending quality time with his family and dedicates his free time to volunteering in financial literacy programs and local food banks.

Ben Cayabyab is the Contracts Manager at Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD), bringing over 25 years of expertise in the California Community College purchasing system. With two decades of dedicated service at CCCCD, Ben has played a vital role in advancing procurement processes and efficiency within higher education.

A highly respected leader in the field, Ben was the inaugural recipient of the California Community College Procurement Professional of the Year Award in 2015. He is also a two-time recipient of the California Higher Education Collaborative Focus on Efficiency Award, recognizing his commitment to innovation and excellence.

Ben has been deeply involved in professional organizations, having served as Chairman of the Northern California Community College Purchasers Group from 2008 to 2018. He continues to contribute to the advancement of community college procurement as a member of the CollegeBuys Steering Committee, a statewide initiative focused on optimizing procurement for California’s community colleges.

His dedication extends to CAPPO (California Association of Public Procurement Officials), where he served as Vice-Chair and Chairman of the San Francisco Chapter from 2013 to 2017.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ben is a high school basketball coach, who helped lead his team to a California Interscholastic Federation State Championship in 2017.

Carrie Everts has served as the Facilities and Civic Center Coordinator at MiraCosta Community College District since 2015. In this role, Carrie oversees the coordination of Civic Center, where she has implemented streamlined processes and fostered collaboration with campus stakeholders. Her dedication ensures the seamless execution of events that benefit both the College and the local community.

With over 20 years of experience in event management, Carrie brings a wealth of expertise to her position. She is also a successful business owner and has devoted more than 30 years to volunteering in North County, San Diego, demonstrating her commitment to community service.
Carrie’s accomplishments have been recognized by SDVoyager, highlighting her significant contributions and leadership in the field. She holds a Master of Educational Studies and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, as well as an associate’s degree in theology from Word Bible College, which has honed her strong leadership skills.

Prior to her current role, Carrie gained valuable experience in higher education administration for nine years and worked in the private sector for over a decade. Her multifaceted background uniquely positions her to excel in her role at MiraCosta Community College District.