The end of the world as we know it?

Tom Peeler, Executive Director
Mohave Educational Services Cooperative, Inc.

Happy New Year! That may seem a bit enthusiastic considering this is 2012 and a number of sources say that the Mayan calendar and Nostradamus both predicted that 2012 would bring the end of the world as we know it. Call me optimistic, but I am looking forward to the new year.

I am looking forward to the momentum of 2011 carrying into 2012. Mohave had a strong year in 2011. Member and vendor confidence in our cooperative purchasing program remained strong. Members used our contracts. Vendors supplied quality goods and services. We welcomed new members and received orders from existing members who had not used our contracts in a while.

I am looking forward to new contract offerings. Continually meeting member needs is one of the requirements for maintaining a successful program. This includes identifying and implementing new contracts. The new year begins with Mohave's first fire fighting supplies and equipment contracts. We are also starting the year with our first telecommunications and Internet connections contracts. We are not stopping there. Revisions to existing contracts and new contracting opportunities are being reviewed.

I am looking forward to working with our members and vendors. We enter the year with 412 member agencies and 210 contract vendors. Each member and vendor is important to our program and we will work together to achieve effective, efficient and economical cooperative purchasing.

I am looking forward to being a member of Team Mohave for another year. Mohave is not a thing. It is a collection of 22 individuals. At Mohave, we succeed by banding 22 individuals into a cohesive team, with each department and each individual being an essential piece of that team. Team Mohave has shrunk in size, but not in its commitment to quality contracting and service. I am proud to be part of the team and the commitment.

Is this too much to look forward to in a year with such dire predictions? I don't think so. First, I don't believe the end of the world predictions. Next, even if those predictions were to occur, I am not going to let them sour all of positive opportunities between now and when we get there.

Thank you for reading and thank you for supporting Mohave.

1/9/12, JTP