Articles - February 2025

MOHAVE  |  (928) 753-6945  /   ASPIN  |  (520) 888-9664

Saying Goodbye to a Colleague, a Mentor and a Friend — Brian Mee

by Mohave Cooperative Family

Saying goodbye to a colleague, mentor, and friend is never easy. As AASBO’s Executive Director, Brian Mee personified the principles of ethics, professionalism, collaboration, and kindness. His absence will be felt across our community deeply, but we can honor his legacy by upholding the values he exemplified. The qualities he embodied will remain with us, living on forever in our hearts and in the way we carry out his legacy.

Brian leaves an indelible mark on Mohave, AASBO, Arizona schools, and beyond our state. His teachings and leadership have been a source of guidance, shaping both our careers and personal lives. The Mohave Team will miss his Reflections on Leadership emails that helped inspire us to be better leaders. His contributions and character will never be forgotten.

Our deepest condolences go out to Brian’s family and to our colleagues in Arizona, as we all mourn the loss of this extraordinary man.

We’ve Refreshed Our Cooperative Purchasing Agreement

by Administrative Team

Our membership documents have historically consisted of our Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (CPA) and a separate ASPIN Addendum. We assembled a team to review the two documents, which resulted in the following updates:

  • The two separate documents have been combined into one CPA that includes a section on participating in ASPIN as an optional program.
  • We updated some areas to match current practices.
  • We made some minor changes to grammar and flow.

As we roll out our refreshed CPA, we understand that you may have questions or concerns about how these updates might affect you. We’ve compiled a list of questions and answers below.

Does our agency have to update to the refreshed CPA?
No, the signed CPA (and, if applicable, ASPIN Addendum) you have on file is still valid. Your agency is welcome to update to the refreshed CPA, but it is not required.
What if we are an existing member and would like to join ASPIN?
We will have your agency sign our refreshed CPA that includes ASPIN as an optional program.
What if our agency wants to update to the refreshed CPA, but we don’t use ASPIN?
That is perfectly acceptable. ASPIN is listed as an optional program in the CPA, and signing the CPA doesn’t automatically enroll the agency in ASPIN. Your agency will not be enrolled in ASPIN unless you go through the enrollment steps outlined in the CPA.
If we update to the refreshed CPA, does it have to go to our agency’s Board for approval?
Most likely, yes. You will need to follow your agency’s requirements, which may include delegated authority for these types of agreements, but the CPA does state that “The governing body of any Member may enter into an Agreement with Mohave for the purpose of utilization of term contracts by such Member.”

If you have additional questions, please reach out to us at cpa@mesc.org.

Exciting Updates to Our Team Titles!

by Compliance Team

We’re thrilled to share an update about our team! To better reflect the work we do for you, we’ve revised the titles of some of our team members. These new titles highlight their specific expertise and the services they provide to support you.

Here’s what is changing:

Procurement Specialists are now  Order Compliance Specialists.

  • Maria Brissette
  • Sherry Jimenez
  • Veronica Escobedo
  • Michelle McLemore

Compliance Specialists are now  Contract Compliance Specialists.

  • Aracely Rivas
  • Chris Mauser

Our Procurement & Compliance Manager is now simply Compliance Manager.

  • Erin Gordon

We believe these updated titles better capture the value and focus of our services, ensuring clarity in how we support your needs.

What hasn’t changed?

Our dedication to providing outstanding customer service and ensuring you have access to high-quality cooperative contracts remains as strong as ever. Your satisfaction and success are always our top priorities.

Have questions or want to chat about these changes? We would love to hear from you—just give us a call!

Welcome Patti Bilbrey, Our Newest Mohave Board of Trustees Member

by Administrative Team

Mohave is thrilled to welcome Patti Bilbrey from Scottsdale Unified School District to our Board of Trustees! With an impressive 25 years of experience in child nutrition, Patti will be an invaluable voice for our members participating in the ASPIN program. She has a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to advancing our mission. Her expertise encompasses various aspects of the industry, from strategic planning to fiscal management, making her a vital addition to our board.

Beyond her technical expertise, Patti is passionate about connecting food service operators and industry to create collaborative opportunities that drive progress. She firmly believes in the power of strategic, committed relationships and is dedicated to building bridges to foster innovation and sustainability.

Mohave is confident Patti’s leadership will further strengthen our commitment to serving Arizona communities.

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