With more than 30 years’ experience in purchasing and vendor relationship management within both public and private sectors, James Staton was appointed State Purchasing Officer in September 2007. He oversees 52 employees in the Division of Purchase & Contract, who facilitate and monitor the procurement of $4 billion in goods and services annually for the State of North Carolina. He previously served as purchasing manager for prominent textile manufacturers and managed administrative, accounting and purchasing divisions of other North Carolina-based firms with international ties.

Staton earned a bachelor of arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh and his Master of Business Administration-Public Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.   Staton is a member of CAGP (The Carolinas Association of Government Purchasing) and NIGP (The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc.).