June 6, 2019
Retirement reception for Carla Bishop
The Division of Facilities and Division of Financial Services will host a retirement reception honoring Carla Bishop, former director of purchasing, from 3-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, in the Tadtman Room of the K-State Alumni Center.
In May 1988, Bishop began her career as a contracting officer with the state of Kansas Division of Purchases in Topeka. Fondly known as the "paper buyer," Bishop was responsible for purchasing printing supplies, equipment and services. Musical instruments were also under her contracting purview; however, she admits the only thing she ever played was her radio. At that time, competitive bids were required at $500.
August 1996 found Bishop at K-State in the purchasing unit of the controller's office where she worked for Bill Sesler. In August 2004, after his retirement, she was selected to be the next director of purchasing. During her tenure in this position, she purchased a variety of items, including fuzzy cottonseed and electron microscopes. Over the years, competitive bid limits moved from $1,000 to $2,000, then to $5,000. Currently, the bid limit is $10,000.
In July 2017, she stepped down as director of purchasing and became a part of the new Administrative Support Center. Since July 2018, Bishop has been a most welcome benefactor of purchasing expertise for the Division of Facilities.