Institute Announces the Addition of ISM CEO Paul Novak to Board of Directors

Institute of Supply Management (ISM) CEO joins group with deep expertise in supply management, government contracting and acquisition reform

Washington, DC – The Federal Acquisition Innovation and Reform Institute (FAIR) today announced the addition of Paul Novak, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), to its Board of Directors. Launched in April of this year, FAIR is a nonpartisan, non-profit* organization led by Raj Sharma, President/CEO of Censeo Consulting Group.

The addition of Novak further highlights the mission of the organization to be an active and driving force in the implementation of a comprehensive reform agenda for the federal acquisition system. ISM is the largest supply management association in the world as well as one of the most respected. ISM has set the standard in many areas of supply management including the universally recognized index for manufacturing activity, PMI (Purchasing Manager’s Index), and its CPSM certification for accrediting professionals in the area of supply management.

“We are honored to have the expertise and veteran leadership that Paul Novak brings to our board,” said Raj Sharma, co-chair of the Board of Directors. “He has a proven track record in the industry, and will only serve to further enrich and expand the Institute’s overall mission for a world-class federal acquisition system.”

Paul Novak, CPSM, C.P.M., A.P.P., is ISM’s chief executive officer. Novak has been with Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) since 1988, leading the institute in a major change in its governance, and the implementation of a Board of Directors comprised of senior officers at major companies. Following this change, Novak led the organization in broadening its focus from purchasing into supply manaement.

Novak received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Michigan State University. In addition, he achieved his certificate in Not-for-Profit Management from the Harvard Business School. Novak was the staff editor of ISM’s four-book Knowledge Series on purchasing management, and is in his second year of a two-year term as president of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM).

“The work being done by FAIR is both timely and relevant to what is happening today in government,” Novak said. “Given the importance of the acquisition function in helping achieve government policy goals, I’m excited to bring my experience and leadership as we look for new and innovative ways to effect change.”

A complete list of current board members can be found at http://www.thefairinstitute.org/board.html.

Since launching in April, FAIR has published several white papers on topics such as insourcing and stimulus spending. FAIR has also announced an essay series offering thought provoking ideas in order to challenge conventional thinking and spur dialogue. The first essay in the “Point of View Series” was composed by Board Member David J. Litman, and is titled, “A Call to Restructure the Acquisition Workforce.” All publications can be found at http://thefairinstitute.org.