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LA Hires Chief Procurement Officer

Los Angeles has hired its first chief procurement officer, who will focus on streamlining business processes and publicizing contract opportunities to small businesses.

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The city of Los Angeles has a chief procurement officer as of Tuesday.

Michael Owh left a similar position in New York City — he was the director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS), where he was responsible for up to $21 billion in contracts across 40 agencies.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti created the CPO position to encourage small and minority-owned businesses to apply for city contracts, reduce contracting time, increase transparency and save money.

“Michael’s experience streamlining contracting processes in New York City, and his demonstrated ability to protect taxpayer funds as we create a more inclusive economy, make him the right person for the job," Garcetti said in a press release.

Owh received his bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and his juris doctorate from the St. John’s University School of Law.

 

Kayla Nick-Kearney was a staff writer for Techwire from March 2017 through January 2019.