Craig Cook Honored as Procurement Specialist of the Year
Craig Cook, Procurement Specialist for Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS), has been recognized as a 2025 Procurement Specialist of the Year Award nominee for his exceptional dedication, technical skill, and commitment to supporting critical school system operations through effective procurement.
Mr. Cook is known for his strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and ability to perform at a high level in a demanding and understaffed procurement environment. He consistently goes above and beyond his assigned duties while providing reliable, well-organized support to the many departments he serves.
His portfolio includes several essential and high-impact commodity areas, including roof repairs and replacements, gymnasium and flooring services, elevator maintenance, school security systems, and the procurement of grounds and custodial equipment and supplies. One of his most time-consuming and complex responsibilities is managing numerous school bus transportation services contracts—an area that plays a major role in supporting one of the largest school systems in the State of Maryland. Mr. Cook oversees the complete procurement lifecycle for these areas, from solicitation through award and contracting.
Mr. Cook’s commitment to excellence has remained consistent even under challenging circumstances. His professionalism was especially notable during a difficult budget season when his position was at risk of elimination. Despite the stress of that period, he maintained the same level of service, accuracy, and attention to detail that his colleagues and customers rely on.
In addition to managing procurement actions, Mr. Cook contributes to continuous improvement by developing updated processes and procedures that strengthen operations and support compliance across the agency. One example includes his work to revise fingerprinting and background check procedures in coordination with the Human Resources Department for contractors working in HCPSS schools.
The Procurement Specialist of the Year Award recognizes procurement professionals who demonstrate excellence in developing requirements, issuing solicitations, evaluating offers, executing awards, and supporting contract administration. Mr. Cook’s achievements reflect his dedication to public service and his significant impact on the procurement operations of Howard County Public Schools.