Vern Jones has been the State of Alaska’s Chief Procurement Officer since his first appointment in 1992. He has over 20 years of public procurement experience. Vern has served as Chief of Staff to Alaska’s Lt. Governor as well as Procurement Officer for the Alaska Governor’s Office. Vern is also a former chair of WSCA and NASPO.  His credentials include the Certified Purchasing Manager from the National Association of Purchasing Management and the Certified Professional Public Buyer from the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing. Vern established the State of Alaska’s procurement training and certification program and has conducted many training sessions on numerous procurement topics.