Welcome to Cooperatively Speaking, a podcast by E&I Cooperative Services.
Each episode, we discuss the topics most important to procurement and end-users at schools and universities.
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Welcome to Cooperatively Speaking, a podcast by E&I Cooperative Services.
Each episode, we discuss the topics most important to procurement and end-users at schools and universities.
Season: 4 | Episode: 21 | Category: Procurement, HR
E&I’s Matt Levine sat down with HireRight’s Dr. Todd Simo, Chief Medical Officer and Managing Director of Transportation, and Alonzo Martinez, Associate General Counsel, to talk all things THC legalization and the hiring process. In this candid conversation, Dr. Simo and Alonzo speak about the differences in THC impairment, the evolving landscape of THC policies, and ways to protect your institutions during these dynamic times. Joint efforts by your HR and legal teams will be essential as you roll into the future.
Matt Levine
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Dr. Todd Simo
Chief Medical Officer and Managing Director of Transportation, HireRight
Alonzo Martinez
Associate General Counsel, HireRight
Season: 4 | Episode: 20 | Category: Technology and Research & Sciences
In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Dennis Hyde interviews Dr. Jennie Wong from Slalom Consulting. He asks questions to discover why research institutions should transition research computing teams to secure cloud environments. Dr. Wong discusses how strategic principles like “speed to science” and customer-focused frameworks empower research teams, while addressing risks and objections. Transitioning researchers to secure cloud environments won’t happen overnight, but this podcast will offer some best practices.
Dennis Hyde
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Dr. Jennie Wong
Global Industry Director for Education at Slalom
Season: 4 | Episode: 19 | Category: Student Health, Procurement
Discover innovative ways to enhance student mental health with our latest podcast featuring Dr. Srikant Devaraj from Syra Health. Learn actionable, evidence-based strategies to provide effective and accessible mental health resources, especially during high-stress periods like the holidays. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the transformative role of technology and public health innovation and gain practical tips to make a meaningful impact on your institution’s approach to wellness.
Allison Lambert
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Dr. Srikant Devara
Syra Health
Season: 4 | Episode: 18 | Category: Student Health, Procurement
Explore new and effective strategies for supporting student mental health in our latest podcast episode with Nassim Bickham from E&I Cooperative’s business partner TimelyCare. Learn about practical, evidence-based strategies to help your institution provide accessible, effective mental health resources, especially during high-stress times like the holidays. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the evolving role of technology in mental health and gain actionable tips to make a meaningful impact on your students’ well-being.
Allison Lambert
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Nassim Bickham
VP of Care Transformation
Season: 4 | Episode: 17 | Category: Procurement
Matt Levine
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Eric Frank
CEO, E&I
Season: 4 | Episode: 16 | Category: Procurement
Join Matt Levine as he dives into the dynamic partnership between E&I and GEP that earned recognition from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). In this episode, you’ll hear from key players at E&I and GEP as they share how their collaborative efforts brought groundbreaking efficiency and agility to E&I’s sourcing and solicitation processes. Learn how E&I and GEP’s teamwork continues to drive impactful solutions in procurement.
Season: 4 | Episode: 15 | Category: Procurement
In this first episode of Cooperatively Speaking’s “Frankly Speaking” series, Matt Levine and Eric Frank welcome Tammy Rimes, Executive Director for the National Cooperative Procurement Partners to discuss their recent report about the true costs of RFPs. The quick summary – RFPs can often cost more than they are worth. During the interview, Tammy Discusses the report, the data, and the findings while Eric provides insights into what this means for E&I members.
Matt Levine
Category Marketing Manager, E&I
Eric Frank
CEO, E&I
Tammy Rimes
Executive Director, NCPP
Season: 4 | Episode: 14 | Category: K-12 Procurement, ProcurementAffairs
In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, David Wheeler, Senior Director of Procurement at Orange County Public Schools, joins host Sue Peters to share insider strategies on maximizing the power of cooperative contracts. From fleet maintenance to cutting-edge IT solutions, David reveals how his team has streamlined processes and tackled challenges using cooperative purchasing. He offers a forward-looking take on trends like AI in procurement and the evolution of eProcurement platforms. David also underscores the critical role of continuous professional development, inspiring procurement professionals to innovate and grow with this dynamic field.
Tune in to hear how today’s top procurement leaders are driving efficiency and future-proofing their organizations!
Season: 4 | Episode: 13 | Category: Student Affairs
In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Dennis talks with Lee Beekman and Paul LaRoche from Oak Hall Cap and Gown. Oak Hall specializes in high-quality graduation caps, gowns, and regalia. With a rich history of 135 years, Oak Hall emphasizes the importance of providing exceptional service, so each commencement ceremony is a memorable capstone event for students and their families. They also share insights into industry trends, highlighting a significant shift toward brand identity in regalia. Oak Hall also discusses how it builds its products from sustainable materials in its home state of Virginia.
Season: 4 | Episode: 12 | Category: Facilities
In this spooky podcast, David welcomes Frank Meek from Rollins-Orkin, to discuss common misconceptions and provide the facts about some creepy, crawly insects: bed bugs, cockroaches, and kissing bugs. An entomologist, Frank teaches us all about bed bugs, how they multiply and spread, and where they like to hide inside facilities. He offers advice to help educational institutions find and eliminate populations that may reside in schools, on campuses, and in student residences.
Season: 4 | Episode: 11 | Category: Technology
Max Henderson, Assistant VP of Digital Forensics at Pondurance, exposes the growing dangers of ransomware and cyber extortion. As cybercriminals become more organized, Max highlights the urgent need for proactive security and response plans. He shares the unsettling truth that even after ransoms are paid, data often remains exposed.
Season: 4 | Episode: 10 | Category: K-12 Procurement, Procurement
In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, host Allison Lambert interviews Sue Peters from E&I Cooperative and they discuss strategies to modernize K-12 procurement. Learn how to streamline processes, overcome common challenges, and maximize savings using a ‘procure-to-pay’ approach. Perfect for anyone looking to optimize their district’s purchasing efficiency!
Season: 4 | Episode: 9 | Category: Student Affairs
Dennis Hyde
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Nicholas Russo
B&H, Business Development and Account Manager-Apple Sales
Season: 4 | Episode: 8 | Category: Travel
In this discussion with Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP), we explore the evolving role of sustainable business travel in higher education. This podcast covers the current travel sustainability landscape, tools for tracking and reducing travel emissions, and choosing an effective carbon offset provider. This podcast offers real-world examples of how institutions can align travel programs with sustainability goals.
Dennis Hyde
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Morgan Hoyt
Vice President of Business Development, Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP)
Ben Rader
Director of Business Development, Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP)
Season: 4 | Episode: 7 | Category: Procurement
In the first episode of Cooperatively Speaking’s “From the Desk of” series, Matt Levine interviews Barry Swanson, Chief Procurement Officer at the University of Kentucky. Barry shares his career journey and insights on key priorities like construction budgets, healthcare spending, and economic engagement. He also discusses the shift to a service-oriented procurement model, the role of AI, and offers advice for young professionals entering the field.
Season: 4 | Episode: 6 | Category: Procurement
In this special 90th anniversary episode, E&I CEO Eric Frank reflects on the Cooperative’s journey from its founding during the Great Depression to its current innovations. Established in 1934 by procurement officers from Colgate, Cornell, and Syracuse University, E&I has grown through collective purchasing power and strategic advancements. Eric discusses E&I’s progress in data analytics, new education resources, and its strong culture and dedicated team, highlighting how these elements drive the organization’s continued success.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors
Eric Frank
President & CEO, E&I Cooperative Services
Season: 4 | Episode: 5 | Category: Technology
Join Brian Kirk from Strata Information Group (SIG) to discuss the crucial elements of incident response planning in higher education. Discover the essentials of crafting an effective Incident Response Plan (IRP) and how compliance with GLBA requirements can protect student data. Brian also highlights the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures and the benefits of tabletop exercises in preparing your institution for potential threats.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors
Brian Kirk
Vice President, Cybersecurity Services, Strata Information Group (SIG)
Season: 4 | Episode: 4 | Category: Facilities
In part two of this series, David Manz welcomes Marc Heroux from Alert Labs, a provider available through the E&I Carrier Enterprise contract, to discuss water management problems and how to solve them. Water usage monitoring, damage prevention, remote water shutoff, and HVAC monitoring are covered. Marc explains how their products provide minute-to-minute water use analysis using AI and algorithms, and alert you of any deviations. Their platform helps find problems faster, resolve them quicker, and conserve water, which is very important.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors
Marc Heroux
Product Specialist, Alert Labs
Season: 4 | Episode: 3 | Category: Supplier Diversity
Join Reginald Layton and Ralph Moore from RGMA as we explore the nuanced differences between supplier diversity and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Gain valuable insights into strategies for effectively integrating both supplier diversity and DEI initiatives to foster a more inclusive and equitable business environment at your institution. The conversation sheds light on the distinct yet complementary roles each plays in driving meaningful change.
Titus Martin
Executive Director, Supplier Diversity
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors
Reginald Layton
Former Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Supply Chain Sustainability at Johnson Controls International Plc
Season: 4 | Episode: 2 | Category: Facilities
In part one of this series, David welcomes Keaton Henry, an industry expert at Ferguson, for an insightful discussion about industrial smart devices from an HVAC standpoint, and leak detection devices from a plumbing standpoint. Keaton covers diagnosing mechanical issues using proactive rather than reactive methods. He highlights the importance of 24/7 monitoring, receiving real-time notifications, inexpensive and risk-free ways to monitor and measure air and water quality, best practices for education, and more.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors
Keaton Henry,
Category Sales Specialist – Connected & IAQ, Ferguson
Season: 4 | Episode: 1 | Category: Supplier Diversity
In part four of our Supplier Diversity Leadership Series, Titus and David welcome Reginald Layton, a renowned expert and Supplier Diversity thought leader. Reginald provides a comprehensive guide for organizations on implementing supplier diversity best practices. He highlights the value proposition of supplier diversity for educational institutions, detailing five key reasons to adopt these practices. He also explores the strong alignment between supplier diversity and sustainability, explaining how both ecosystems support each other.
Titus Martin
Executive Director, Supplier Diversity
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors
Reginald Layton
Former Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Supply Chain Sustainability at Johnson Controls International Plc
Season: 3 | Episode: 6 | Category: Supplier Diversity
Join us for Part Three of our Supplier Diversity Series as Titus and David welcome Ralph G Moore, a veteran with over 40 years of experience and the founder of Ralph G Moore and Associates – a Chicago-based consulting firm recognized globally for supply diversity strategies and minority business development.
Titus Martin
Executive Director, Supplier Diversity at E&I Cooperative Services
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Ralph G. Moore
Founder & President of Ralph G. Moore & Associates
Season: 3 | Episode: 5 | Category: Facilities
The opioid crisis has far reaching implications on our country’s campuses. In this episode, David and our guest Tom Licker, Certified Environmental Infection Control Remediator and Certified BioRecovery Master, discuss the risks of fentanyl on campus and how important it is to be educated on how to remediate these spaces.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Thomas Licker
Senior Vice President, Regulatory Business Practice at First Onsite
Season: 3 | Episode: 4 | Category: Procurement
Tune into the second part of Titus and David’s conversation with Reggie Williams, CEO of Procurement Resources and the individual who coined the phrase supplier diversity. Here, we cover what supplier diversity really means, best practices for growing your program with real-life examples, and why it’s critical to include diverse suppliers in your purchasing processes.
Titus Martin
Executive Director, Supplier Diversity at E&I Cooperative Services
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Reggie Williams
CEO of Procurement Resources, Inc.
Season: 3 | Episode: 3 | Category: Procurement
Titus and David are joined by special guest Reggie Williams, CEO of Procurement Resources and the leader who coined the phrase supplier diversity. In this episode, we discuss the history of supplier diversity, including stakeholder capitalism, investing back into your community, the numbers behind why this is important, and what it truly means to have a real supplier diversity program.
Titus Martin
Executive Director, Supplier Diversity at E&I Cooperative Services
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Reggie Williams
CEO of Procurement Resources, Inc.
Season: 3 | Episode: 2 | Category: Procurement
Join David for Part 2 of this two-part episode featuring Tammy Rimes, Executive Director of National Cooperative Procurement Partners. In this episode, we discuss what to look for when choosing a cooperative to partner with, trends and best practices, and ultimately how to make the most out of cooperative purchasing for your organization.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Tammy Rimes, MPA
Executive Director of National Cooperative Procurement Partners
Season: 3 | Episode: 1 | Category: Procurement
Join David for Part 1 of this two-part episode featuring special guest Tammy Rimes, Executive Director of National Cooperative Procurement Partners. In this episode, we discuss what exactly is a purchasing cooperative and how cooperative contracts benefit procurement — and any buyers on your campus.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Tammy Rimes, MPA
Executive Director of National Cooperative Procurement Partners
Season: 2 | Episode: 6 | Category: Diversity
How does supplier diversity impact a community — and specifically schools and universities — both socially and financially?
David and Titus deep dive into the definition of supplier diversity and what it means as a “holistic value creation” for educational institutions and the communities in which they operate.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Titus Martin
Executive Director, Supplier Diversity at E&I Cooperative Services
Season: 2 | Episode: 5 | Category: Recruitment
HireRight recently launched its 15th Annual Benchmark Report based on the responses of over 2,300 human resources and risk professionals worldwide who shared their experiences of background screening, talent acquisition, and remote working over the past year, as well as some predictions for the future.
In this episode, Joe and our guest deep dive into the findings of this report and what it means for schools.
Joe Castelluccio
Director, Business Development at E&I Cooperative Services
Maria Moore
SVP of Global Marketing & Strategic Alliances at HireRight
Season: 2 | Episode: 4 | Category: Financial
Not only is managing payment systems for each location on campus extremely complex, but it’s even harder to ensure all locations are following credit card processing and PCI compliance security requirements.
Joe and our guest discuss the best ways for schools to reduce costs and streamline payment processing, merchant support, and security to prevent credit card data breaches.
Joe Castelluccio
Director, Business Development at E&I Cooperative Services
Deborah Jackson
Founder & CEO of Arrow Payments
Season: 2 | Episode: 3 | Category: Facilities
For many of us, the thought behind which batteries we choose may not go beyond selecting the type that will fit in the device.
In this episode, David and our guests discuss the different types of batteries that should be used for various applications, and why it’s so important to take the extra step to select the right product for the proper use from a trusted vendor.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Brooke Taylor
National Key Account Manager at Duracell
Scott Ruhl
National Account Manager at Batteries Plus Bulbs
Season: 2 | Episode: 2 | Category: Financial
With 74% of organizations reporting they were the target of an actual or attempted payments fraud in 2020, the problem is well known — but not well understood.
In this episode, Joe and our guests discuss the common ways these frauds are successful using real-world examples from higher education and K-12 institutions.
Joe Castelluccio
Director, Business Development at E&I Cooperative Services
Naomi Emmons
Deputy Chief Procurement Officer at the University of Kentucky
Rick Gay
Director of Procurement Services at Spring Branch Independent School District
Taylor Nemeth
Head of Payments at PaymentWorks
Season: 2 | Episode: 1 | Category: Facilities
Since March 2020, Congress has allocated $264.5 billion for private, public, K-12, and higher education spending in response to the pandemic.
Much of these funds can be used for your facilities project — including construction — if you are able to justify the costs as being necessary to virus mitigation.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Saul Alvarado
Vice President, Business Partnerships Management at E&I Cooperative Services
Matt Robeson
National Enterprise Account Manager for K-20 at Carrier
Season: 1 | Episode: 4 | Category: Diversity
Join us for part two of our discussion on supplier diversity within the education space. You’ll walk away from this episode with practical, tangible tips on how you can establish your program and build on it to make it truly great.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Saul Alvarado
Vice President, Business Partnerships Management at E&I Cooperative Services
Mark Cartwright
Former Director, Supplier Diversity at E&I Cooperative Services
Season: 1 | Episode: 3 | Category: Diversity
Join us for part one of our two-part discussion on supplier diversity within the education space, particularly for facilities departments, EH&S, and other departments responsible for serving their campus.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Saul Alvarado
Vice President, Business Partnerships Management at E&I Cooperative Services
Mark Cartwright
Former Director, Supplier Diversity at E&I Cooperative Services
Season: 1 | Episode: 2 | Category: Facilities
Join us for part two of our discussion on indoor air quality (IAQ) — and why if it’s important, you measure it. In this episode, Saul and David chat with Karl Stefan from Pure Air about best practices, what people do right and wrong in their facilities, and key contributors to IAQ that you may not be quite aware of.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Saul Alvarado
Vice President, Business Partnerships Management at E&I Cooperative Services
Karl Stefan, CIEC
Northeast Regional Manager, Industrial Hygienist at Pure Air Control Services, Inc.
Season: 1 | Episode: 1 | Category: Facilities
The need for good indoor air quality (IAQ) has been a topic for years, but COVID-19 significantly exposed deficiencies, challenges, and concerns surrounding IAQ.
Now, with facilities teams around the world discussing how to better clean their air, this area of facilities maintenance is more important than ever.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors at E&I Cooperative Services
Saul Alvarado
Vice President, Business Partnerships Management at E&I Cooperative Services
Kirk Steward
National Product Manager at Sunbelt Rentals
Have an idea for an upcoming episode? We want to hear from you! Contact us at podcast@eandi.org.
Starts in April
Send us your ideas for topics, guests, or any other feedback using this form, or drop us a line at podcast@eandi.org!
