A Certified Public Procurement Officer and a local and state government contracting expert with 17 years of experience has joined the New Mexico Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) in Las Cruces.
Karen Medina, who was raised in Las Cruces and graduated from New Mexico State University (NMSU) with a degree in Human Resource Management and Economics, worked with the City of Las Cruces before accepting a position with PTAP in January. Medina was the city’s senior buyer before being promoted to purchasing manager, where she oversaw seven positions, the city’s contracts, goods and services, and a $70 million budget. Prior to the city, Medina spent 13 years at NMSU, with seven as a buyer in the Purchasing Department.
Medina said her interest in small business development brought her to PTAP, a statewide program that provides local, state and federal government contracting assistance to small businesses at no cost. PTAP’s seven offices are located across New Mexico, with most offices located near military bases. The Las Cruces PTAP office is housed at the Doña Ana Community College Workforce Development Center and covers Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna and Sierra counties. Elke Mosholder is a Senior PTAP Advisor based in Alamogordo who also covers Otero County in southern New Mexico.
“We are pleased to have someone with Karen’s resume on board,” said Richard Asenap, PTAP Interim Program Manager. “One of the things we are most proud of is that all of our advisors are experienced counselors, some with about 20 years of experience or more.”
Asenap hopes Medina will become PTAP’s expert on helping businesses contract with school districts, or local city or county government.
“Sometimes it’s easier to do business locally,” Medina said. “There are not as many regulations as there are with federal government. When looking to grow your business, don’t overlook your state or local governments.”