Vincent Patriarco, formerly materials director for Buckbee-Mears of Cortland, has been named director of Cornell Purchasing.
Patriarco assumed the Cornell directorship Sept. 15.
"Vince's breadth of vision and depth of experience in procurement and materials management will enable him to make significant contributions to the university," said Yoke San Reynolds, associate vice president and controller, in announcing the appointment.
As director of purchasing, Patriarco is responsible for management of the university's central purchasing function, Reynolds said. That entails planning, directing and managing the purchase of all materials, supplies, equipment and services for the university. He also advises Cornell management and officers in matters of purchasing policy and strategy.
Patriarco oversees a staff of 17, which in 1996-1997 handled or contracted for about $120 million, about 200,000 purchase orders and approximately 500,000 individual items.
"Vince's position will play an important role in the university's future by ensuring we receive the best value and deliver the highest quality service possible," Reynolds said.
Patriarco said no major changes currently are planned in departmental operations, but that efforts continue to examine all operations to determine need and ensure operating efficiencies.
"I am very excited to be here and look forward to helping the university attain and surpass the goals ahead of us," he said. He added that the department is actively involved in Project 2000 (P2K), which is overhauling administrative systems to reduce duplication, bureaucratic processes and paperwork. P2K, he said, will result in improved operations.
Patriarco has been materials director at Buckbee-Mears for the past four years. Before that he was purchasing manager for eight years. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Syracuse University in 1977 and his MBA from City University in 1993.