METRO NASHVILLE
Michelle Hernandez Lane , Purchasing Agent & Chief Procurement Officer ,
Metro Nashville , on digital excellence in government procurement and serving the community
Inside the office buildings of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson sits the division of purchases . In many ways , it is the beating heart of the Tennessee capital ’ s government , tasked with the singular purpose of advising and equipping more than 50 agencies , from the Fire Department to the Arts Commission , with the goods and services they need to fulfill their duties .
The procurement division , as it is colloquially known , manages all purchases in excess of $ 25,000 . Departments , empowered by Michelle Hernandez Lane , the Chief Procurement Officer , handle everything below that threshold . “ Anything above that is going to come to our office ,” she says .
Hernandez Lane was appointed to the role in 2017 , but has served the Metro Nashville government in a variety of capacities for two decades , joining in 2001 developing small business initiatives , and more recently as its Chief Diversity Officer . Her unique perspective on the local community , and
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