My procurement career began five years ago in Little Rock, Arkansas, where I served as a purchasing buyer for the county I lived in. Although I entered the role with no prior procurement experience, I was fortunate to have an excellent manager who mentored me and supported my development. I quickly grew into the position and made meaningful contributions, including streamlining the County’s surplus and auction process to improve organization, efficiency, and contract compliance. During this time, I became actively involved in the Arkansas chapter of NIGP by attending meetings, participating in conferences, and completing various professional development courses.

In November 2023, I joined the City of Richmond, Virginia, as a Procurement Analyst—a role that has further strengthened my passion for public procurement. Since joining the City, I have earned my VCA and am actively pursuing my VCO while managing complex procurements, including formal Invitations for Bids and Requests for Proposals. I also assist with critical purchases and contracts for the City and help lead initiatives aimed at strengthening procurement operations and improving departmental processes. I have had the opportunity to attend three VAGP conferences, where I connected with inspiring professionals and became a member of the VAGP DEI Committee. My involvement over the past year has been both rewarding and educational, deepening my appreciation for the organization’s mission and community. With two colleagues currently serving on the VAGP board, I have been even more motivated to contribute at a higher level.

I am honored to be nominated for the position of VAGP Secretary. I understand that the role requires a significant time commitment, and I am fully dedicated to fulfilling the responsibilities with diligence, professionalism, and enthusiasm. I am confident in my ability to learn and execute the duties of secretary and am eager for the opportunity to support the continued success of VAGP.

I am honored to be nominated for the Secretary position on the Virginia Association of Government Procurement (VAGP) Board of Directors. I am excited with the potential opportunity to serve on this board and bring a unique perspective and a passion for teamwork. My journey has been shaped by a commitment to listening, learning, and leading collaboratively; qualities I hope to bring to the Board as we work together to elevate public procurement for everyone. 

As a Procurement Manager working for the City of Virginia Beach, I have been committed to enriching our team. When I joined the City in 2023, I was able to leverage more than 15 years’ experience in the financial services industry to bring value to the City’s procurement processes. Between my experience at the City and in the private sector, I have led diverse teams across various organizations, always with a focus on collaboration and advancing our shared goals. Also, I have enjoyed serving on the PR Committee for VAGP for over a year now, participating as a panel member in a VAGP conference session, and engaging in NIGP’s Mentorship program as a Mentor and Mentee.

These experiences have allowed me to connect with colleagues, share knowledge, and learn from others. I am excited to bring these collaborative experiences and a fresh perspective to the Board of Directors, working together to elevate public procurement within the Commonwealth and beyond.

Thank you for your consideration for me in this role and I look forward to the opportunity to serve every one of you.

Matthew Easley serves as Assistant Director for Finance and Operations for Fairfax City Economic Development. His responsibilities include procurement, contract administration, budgeting, audit coordination, compliance, and organizational operations. He also served approximately seven months as Interim President and CEO of the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority, working directly with its Board on governance, financial oversight, and operational continuity.

Matthew’s work focuses on developing clear policies, maintaining reliable records, and ensuring that decisions translate into action. His experience includes updating the Authority’s procurement and finance policy; leading competitive banking, branding, and program procurement; managing strategic initiatives and partnerships; and managing agreements and reporting requirements across public, private, and university engagements.

Within VAGP, Matthew serves as the Zone 1 representative and participates in the Sponsorship Committee and Conference Advisory Committee. He holds the Virginia Contracting Associate designation and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, bringing a people-centered approach to communication and collaboration.

As Secretary, Matthew would bring attention to detail, clear communication, and practical governance experience to support the Board and keep members informed. He welcomes the opportunity to deepen his service to VAGP and contribute to its continued work advancing public procurement.

Vin Kamatchi is a Sourcing Manager for Chesterfield County, with a focus on construction and professional services.  He has been with the County for 9 years and in public procurement for 13 years. 

Vin has been a part of VAGP for nearly 13 years, serving as the Membership Committee Chair in 2020 and 2021. He also participated in scheduling/hosting classes as part of the Education Committee. In his role on the Young Professionals Committee, he worked on student outreach by connecting with Virginia colleges and universities and participating in career fairs to promote public procurement as a career path. Vin has extensive familiarity with how the Board works and is excited to participate.

Vin currently has his CPPB and NIGP-CPP and is studying to take the CPPO exam in 2027. Outside of work Vin enjoys cooking and video games with his son.

I am seasoned professional with seven years of public procurement experience. I currently serve as a Procurement Analyst for the City of Richmond Virginia, where I have demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a strong commitment to advancing the procurement field. I actively engage in challenging projects that expand my knowledge, resulting in meaningful improvements to the City’s procurement processes and the efficient delivery of critical City initiatives.

One of my most notable achievements includes partnering with the Department of Public Works to develop and competitively bid the City’s first Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for VDOT funded transportation projects. Prior to my time with the City, I worked as a financial reporting specialist at VCU Health, where I served as a purchasing agent for the hospital and its subsidiaries.

I have a Masters of Business Administration degree from Liberty University; a Bachelor's Degree, Business Administration – Management; and an Associate in Arts Degree, Business Administration both from Strayer University. I currently service as Co-Chair on the VAGP’s Membership Committee. In my spare time, I enjoy running (half and full marathons) and reading books.

Stephanie Thomas is a Procurement Analyst with the City of Richmond, bringing over 25 years of procurement experience, including 21 years in military procurement with the Army Quartermaster Corps and more than 4 years in public procurement with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the City of Richmond. She holds a bachelor's degree and a Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification.

Stephanie has been actively involved with the Virginia Association of Governmental Procurement (VAGP), serving as Co-Chair of the Membership Committee for the past year and a half. Through this role, she has developed a strong appreciation for the importance of building connections, encouraging member participation, and creating opportunities for procurement professionals to learn and grow together.

Stephanie is passionate about public procurement, leadership, and giving back to a profession that has played such an important role in her career. She enjoys sharing her knowledge, supporting others, building relationships, and being part of a team that works toward common goals. Her military and public procurement experience have taught her the value of teamwork, accountability, communication, and service.

As an At-Large Board member, Stephanie wants to bring her energy, experience, and willingness to serve to VAGP. She is committed to strengthening membership, increasing engagement, supporting professional development, and creating meaningful opportunities for procurement professionals at every stage of their careers. She believes VAGP is strongest when its members feel connected, supported, and empowered to grow.

“For Stephanie, leadership is about showing up, helping others, and making a difference.”