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Gulf Coast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers, Inc.

P I P E L I N E

Representing the Governmental Entities of: Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, & Lee Counties

December 14, 2007 Volume 2 Issue 7

Message from the New President: Hello Members, Happy Holidays to everyone! It is amazing how fast the years go by. I am looking forward to serving as President and one of my goals are to increase classes and opportunities to earn points and continue learning locally. I know we are all facing budget constraints and I hope this goal will help everyone keep up on points as well as educational knowledge without having abundance travel expenses. Any suggestions on helping meet this goal, or if you have classes you need or would like to suggest. I am all ears. March is National Purchasing Month. Begin to think about what you can do within your organization to promote our profession. See all of you soon. Thanks! Patti Armbruster, President 72nd Chapter NIGP

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President Patti Armbruster, Lee BOCC Historian Rhiannon Mills, Charlotte BOCC

Vice President Jane Dalrymple, City of Punta Gorda By-Laws Cheryl Mastin, Charlotte BOCC

Secretary Leane Suominen, City of Fort Myers Newsletter Rene Barnard, DeSoto County

School Board Treasurer Lisa Tudor, Edison College Pro-D Rene Barnard, DeSoto County

School Board Programs Mark Hrycyk, Lee BOCC Awards Jane Dalrymple, City of Punta

Gorda Membership Judy Cheves, Lee BOCC Parliamentarian Alla V. Skipper, Charlotte BOCC Nominating Committee

Robert Lotter Lee County Tax Collector and Kathy Ciccarelli, Lee BOCC

Past President Kathleen Lindback, Charlotte BOCC

_________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

Can’t make a Meeting? Can’t make a Meeting but still want to network with

the members on a topic?

Send “Round Table” questions to the Secretary (lsuominen@cityftmyers.com) and she will present them at the next Meeting for group discussions. All

responses will be made part of the Minutes and available for your review and use.

Your 2008 Board Members and Chair Volunteers

SEE PAGE 13 for

2008 MEMBERSHIP FORM

Message from the New Vice-President: GCAGPO Members, Time marches on and the GACGPO Officers are planning for the new year. We have some ideas for classes for our membership, but would like to hear from you for ideas also. So make sure you participate with the Surveys!! We want to make this a great educational year for the membership. I look forward to seeing all of the members at the meetings and classes. Thanks, Jane Dalrymple Vice-President 72nd Chapter NIGP

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Do you know of an event or have an experience that you would like to share in the newsletter?

If so, please e-mail rene.barnard@desoto.k12.fl.us or fax your information to 863-494-9675.

III MMM PPP OOO RRR TTT AAA NNN TTT DDD AAA TTT EEE SSS NIGP Chapter Meetings for 2008

February 22, 2008 May 16, 2008 August 8, 2008

December 5, 2008

Scheduled Newsletter Submissions Cut-off Date Newsletter Date

1/14/08 1/18/08 4/7/08 4/11/08 6/30/08 7/3/08 10/22/08 10/31/08

Message from the Past- President: GCAGPO Members, As my year of presidency of GCAGPO comes to an end, I want to again extend a heartfelt thanks to all for your assistance in making this year successful. I value each and every one of you as professionals in the procurement field and as a friend. I hope that we can continue to utilize our contacts within this organization to further the success of the procurement profession, making those we serve more appreciative of the tasks we must accomplish to the benefit of our communities. I encourage each of you to become involved in the future events of GCAGPO and utilize the many options available to further your learning and certification requirements. I know that the new Board/Chair people will be working hard to bring to us future learning opportunities to do just that. They need your support and involvement. I wish you all a wonderful Holiday season and prosperous New Year! Thanks! Kathleen M. Lindback, Past-President 72nd Chapter NIGP

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Gulf Coast Association of Governmental Purchasing Officers – Minutes from NOVEMBER 9, 2007 meeting

at the Captain’s Table Restaurant, Punta gorda Officers in Attendance – President, Kathleen Lindback; Vice President, Patti Armbruster; Treasurer, Jane Dalrymple; Secretary, Lisa Tudor

Attendees - Lynn Banish, Rene Barnard, Mary Ceballos, Judy Cheves, Kathy Ciccarelli, Kimberly Corbett, Lisa Crone, Jacque Daniels, Butch Dumont, Mark Hrycyk, Chris Jeffcoat, Carol Kehrer, Sally Long, Arthur Markham, Cheryl Mastin, Rhiannon Mills, Alla Skipper, Carole Smith, Leane Suominen, Cindy Talamantez, Alisa True .

Guests: Albert delValle, Debra Kearns Speakers – N/A At approximately 10:10 a.m. all members and guests were welcomed by President Kathleen Lindback. Everyone introduced themselves and said what part of the country they are from which demonstrated how we are one big melting pot, but all present at the meeting for one purpose. Rene Barnard presented a review of topics discussed at the 2007 NIGP Forum in Tampa. She handed out a listing of titles (presentations) and asked that everyone circle those they would be interested in receiving as a slide show. Rene will collect and email results. She proceeded to review the topics presented, i.e. “Marketing Your Worth & Value So People Listen”; “Purchasing Green Cooperatively”. She also noted that many presentations were given by vendors, i.e. “Technology Deployment for Facilities Management” (presented by Graybar) and “Successful Strategies for PCard Program Management”. Discussion ensued regarding entities who utilize the PCard system; included in the discussion was Bank of America, and the software used. Another presentation related to contract administration problems, and discussion followed. Several individuals noted that contractors need to be educated on contracts and how to read them. The importance of having pre-bid meetings and licensed contractors was noted. Regarding the “Going Green” presentation, it was noted that six Charlotte County schools will be open that are “Leed” certified. The presentation concluded at 11:40 a.m. and was followed by the Business Meeting. President Kathleen Lindback handed out

Membership Certificates; Awards/Certificates of Appreciation to Chair positions; Awards/Certificates to Board Members.

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Old Business: Vice President, Patti Armbruster, had no report. Treasurer, Jane Dalrymple, provided the Treasurer’s Report. A motion to accept the Report was made by Kim Corbett. The motion was seconded by Cheryl Mastin. Unanimously approved. Secretary, Lisa Tudor, provided the Minutes from the 8/31/07 meeting. A motion to accept the minutes of August 31, 2007 was made by Kim Corbett. The motion was seconded by Alla Skipper. Unanimously approved.

New Business: Kathy Ciccarelli announced the nominations for Officers for the Gulfcoast Association of Government Purchasing Officers for Calendar Year 2008:

President: Patti Armbruster from Lee County BOCC. Motion to accept nomination made by Kim Corbett; seconded by Carole Smith. Vice President: Jane Dalrymple from Punta Gorda. Motion to accept nomination made by Kim Corbett; seconded by Carole Smith. Treasurer: Lisa Tudor from Edison College. Motion to accept nomination made by Kim Corbett; seconded by Mark Hrycyk. Secretary: Patti Armbruster nominated Leane Suominen; seconded by Jane Dalrymple. Motion to accept nomination made by Kim Corbett; seconded by Carole Smith. Standing Committee Chairs:

Awards Chair: Patti Armbruster will look into; Bylaws Chair: Cheryl Mastin; Historian Chair: Rhiannon Mills; Membership Chair: Lisa Tudor; Nominating Chairs: Robert Lotter and Kathy Ciccarelli; Parliamentarian Chair: Alla Skipper;

Pro-D & Newsletter Chair: Rene Barnard; Programs Chair: Mark Hrycyk

Round Table Discussion: Patti Armbruster announced the following tentative dates for the 2008 GCAGPO meetings:

February 22, 2008 August 8, 2008 May 16, 2008 December 5, 2008 Discussion followed regarding how to extend membership to other entities and how to entice current members to attend meetings; it was noted that there are 82 paying members but only 29 in

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attendance at this meeting. It was noted that with the budget cut situation, many will not be able to attend State or National events; therefore, there will be a need to meet locally. Adjournment: At 12:15 p.m. motion was made by Kim Corbett to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Kathleen Lindback. Unanimously approved.

The Agenda for the February Meeting will be included in the January Newsletter.

Patti Armbruster, CPPB Jane Dalrymple, CPPB Lisa Tudor Leane Suominen President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Lee County BOCC City of Punta Gorda Edison College City of Ft. Myers TEL: 239-344-5450 TEL: 941-575-3386 TEL: 239-489-9350 TEL: 239-332-6794 FAX: 239-344-5460 FAX: 941-575-3340 FAX: 239-489-9042 FAX: 239-332-0593

parmbruster@leegov.com jdalrymple@ci.punta-gorda.fl.us ltudor@edison.edu lsuominen@cityftmyers.com

If you find an error in the Minutes, or if we have inadvertently omitted a discussed item ….. Please contact our Secretary, Lisa Tudor, lsuominen@cityftmyers.com , and she will make the adjustments for review at

our next Chapter Meeting.

Please make plans now, to attend the February 2008 Meeting! Chapter participation provides an opportunity to Network with your

professional public procurement peers! You also benefit from the Interaction of comparing local information, strategies, thoughts, support,

and you share referrals to meet your agency needs. We hope to see every Member on February 22nd and look forward to some

exciting discussions!!!!!

The character of any team is reflected in the standards it sets for itself.

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2008 NIGP Chapter Year At-A-Glance

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH Plan ahead for NIGP’s 63rd Annual Forum and save! Early bird registration discount ($50) offered through April 30th, 2008. First-time Forum attendees receive additional $50 discount. http://www.nigp.org/events/Forum.htm Send your articles, ideas, & information to chapters@nigp.org by January 4, 2008 for the January issue of the Chapter Connection newsletter. Free Chapter Officer Orient ation Webinar Jan 29th , 2008 1:00 -2:30pm January 31, 2008 -Submission deadline for required annual Chapter Officer Data and Member Data Forms. Submit forms online at: http://www.nigp.org/chapter/ChapFormDocs.htm Look for your Chapter member referral check (Chapters receive $25 for each new agency member referral to NIGP).

Promote chapter Purchasing month activities and events. List activities in Chapter newsletters , advertise in local newspapers, proclaim Purchasing Month in your state. Register for TIPPs Symposium March 3 -5, 2008 , Charlotte, NC (Tremendous Ideas for Procurement Professionals) http://www.nigp.org/educate/outline/EPRO.htm Free Chapter Awards Webinar Feb 19th , 2008 1:00 -2:30pm Begin preparing for Chapter Awards submissions. More Info

NIGP Professional Buyer of the Year NIGP Professional Purchasing Mgr of the Year Chapter of the Year Large (151 + members) Mid-Size (61 – 150 members) Small (less than 60 members) Award submissions must be received by March 21, 200 8.

Happy Purchasing Month! What did you r Chapter do for Purchasing Month? Forward your Purchasing Month proclamation s, activities, events, photos, & comments

to chapters@nigp.org by April 4, 2008 to share them in the Purchasing Month -Special Edition, Chapter Connection.

March 31, 2008 – last day to apply to take current CPPO/CPPB exams. Visit www.uppcc.org for more details.

Recognize Local Chapter Award winners at national level —submit chapter award recognition form at:

http://www.nigp.org/chapter/ChapterAwardRecForm.pdf Submission deadline for annual required Chapter Financial

Report (March 31, 200 8). TIPPs Symposium K12 & E Procurement Professionals March 3 -5, 2007 -Charlotte, NC

APRIL MAY JUNE Send your Purchasing Month articles, ideas, proclamations

& photos to chapters@nigp.org by April 4, 2008 for the Purchasing Month -Special Edition, Chapter Connection.

Register for the Chapter L eadership Symposium held July 26, 2008 in conjunction with the NIGP Annual Forum.

Send your articles, ideas, & information to chapters@nigp.org by June 6 , 2008 for the June issue of the Chapter Connection.

Register for workshops, networking sessions and pre -forum Understanding the Chapter Seminar Agreement &

NIGP’s Spring Board & Committee meetings seminars for the Charlotte Forum. You can do it online! Hosting NIGP Chapter - Sponsored Seminars Webinar St. Louis, MO – April 19-21, 2008 Log into the Members Only section of our web site and June 16 , 2008 1:00 – 2:30pm

April 30, 2008 – Forum Early bird registration ends. Last day to save $50!

see just how easy it is! www.nigp.org Forum registrants can view and edit their registrations online, including registering

for workshops. http://www.nigp.org/events/Forum.htm June 30, 2008. Submit your signed Chapter Seminar Agreements. June 20 , 2008. - Registration deadline for Chapter Leadership Symposium at Forum.

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER Last chance to register for the 63rd Annual Forum in Charlotte !

Send your Forum Chapter experience, photos, articles and Preparing for Chapter leadership elections?

Forum Housing request deadline July 2, 200 8. Do not mail in Forum registration forms after July 10, 2008.

Online registration available through July 13, 200 8. Forum regi strations received after July 13 , 2008 will be

processed on site in Charlotte , and will incur a $50 late fee charge. July 21, 2008 -Application dea dline for new UPPCC exams to be held in October 08. July 25 & 26 - Pre-Forum seminars July 26-30, 2008 -NIGP’s 63 rd Annual Forum in Charlotte, NC July 31, 2008 Last day to take current CPPO/CPPB written exams. July 25 , 2008 -NIGP’s Summer Board & Committee meetings

ideas by August 8, 2008 to chapters@nigp.org for the special post-Forum edition of the Chapter Connection.

Chapter leaders – join NIGP’s Chapter E-net discussion list serve to learn how Chapters develop successful

membership and fundraising drives, promote and schedule events, coordinate governance , and share ideas.

https://www.nigp.org/common/restrict/E-Net/default.asp List your Chapter Conferences and Tradeshows on NIGP’s

website: https://www.nigp.org/common/Seminar/ChapEvents.asp

Utilize NIGP’s Online Chapter Registration Service Contact registration@nigp.org for more information.

Chapter Board Policy states that a t a minimum, the President, Vice President and o ne (1) other Chapter Officer is required to hold a NIGP National Agency or Individual membership.

Apply for membership online : http://www.nigp.org/genlinfo/AboutUs.htm September 15,

2008 – UPPCC exam registration deadline for October 2008 testing. September 30 , 2008 – Last day to apply for the

C.P.M. to UPPCC Bridge. Search the UUPC website for active CPPO & CPPB certification. Search

Charlotte, NC Look for your Chapter member referral check (chapters receive $25 for each new agency member referral to NIGP).

OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

Send your Chapter ideas, suggestions and articles for the The Chapter Member Data form, Chapter Officer Data form and

NIGP’s Fall Board and Committee meetings. TBD Chapter Connection, NIGP’s Chapter cooperative Chapter Financial forms are all available online: The Chapter Visit Program provides for an official visit per

chapter at least once every 4 years at no cost to the chapter. View program details and schedule online:

http://www.nigp.org/chapter/ChapterVisitMain.htm Official Chapter Visit schedule

newsletter to chapters@nigp.org .by November 7 , 2008 for the November issue. Keep your agency/contact information

current. Update your membership pro file online under Members Services, Members Only section of the NIGP web

site: http://www.nigp.org/member_services/default.htm Chapter Legal & Tax Iss ues Webinar Nov 18 , 2008 1:00

– 2:30pm Prepare your Chapter Group Exemption documents to be included in the 2009 exemption report.

Happy Thanksgiving!

http://www.nigp.org/chapter/ChapFormDocs.htm Don’t forget those seminar request forms! Start the new year off right! Request NIGP seminars offered by your chapter for the Spring season! http://www.nigp.org/educate/DownloadForm.htm December 31st – Last day to take UPPCC Written CPPB Bridge exam Written CPPO Bridge exam CPPO Oral exam Visit: www.uppcc.org for details. Seasons Greetings!

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According to the NIGP Chapter Chartering Guide, the Standing Committees are to consist from 3-5 members. We had many Members step up to participate in these important Chapter positions, but we still need others to join in with a helping hand!!!! Please review the following Committees and their responsibilities to see where your interest may lay for volunteer services: Vacant seats are shown in RED. AWARDS COMMITTEE: Chairperson: Vice-President, Jane Dalrymple

Pro-D Chairperson, Rene Barnard Membership Chairperson, Lisa Tudor

And (1) Member-at-large from the Chapter NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Seats appointed by President of not less than (5) five members Chairperson: Robert Lotter

Seat 1: Kathy Ciccarelli Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Responsible for recommendation ballot of officers for membership vote. The slate of candidates will be announced to full membership (30) days prior to voting date. This committee will solicit, receive and evaluate recommendations from members and any eligible and consenting member nominated from the floor for candidacy. A simple major vote of those regular members in attendance, and by absentee ballot, will be counted for candidate election. No (2) Board members from the same agency may serve as officers at the same time. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Chairperson: Rene Barnard Seat 1 Seat 2 Responsible for planning, establishing, and coordinating educational programs which further the knowledge, expertise, and professionalism of the membership and promotes certification (re-cert also) of the chapter members. Pro-D activities include, but are not limited to, Workshops and/or NIGP Seminars. This committee will survey and assess members’ needs and provide instruction opportunities as available. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: All Seats must be held by National Members if available within local chapter. Chairperson: Lisa Tudor Seat 1 Seat 2

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Responsible for organizing an effective recruiting program, to prepare materials for distribution to potential members or to help familiarize them with the chapter. This committee will prepare an annual list of paid members in good standing for presentation at the first Board Meeting of the Chapter Year; this list should identify local and National Memberships and shall be submitted to NIGP according to its requirements. This committee shall also be responsible for collecting membership dues, conveying dues to the Treasurer for deposit, and sending out delinquent notices when necessary. PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Chairperson: Mark Hrycyk Seat 1 Seat 2 Responsible for planning, establishing, and coordinating programs for each Chapter Meeting. This committee will acquire meeting facilities and schedule speakers for meeting calendar as set by the Board. This committee is also responsible for room set-up, arranging for refreshments, instructor communications and local contact. Meeting announcements/agendas should be developed and distributed no less than (4) weeks before scheduled date. All monetary needs shall be conveyed to the Treasurer for payment. NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE: Chairperson: Rene Barnard Seat 1 Seat 2 Responsible for collecting articles, prepare, edit, and publish Chapter’s Newsletter every other month, fifteen days prior to the chapter’s regular meetings. Cultural, Educational, and Social events should be included in Newsletter as available. This committee will also collect and send articles to members’ local newspaper, to NIGP, etc., to publicize individual achievements, as well as those of the Chapter. HISTORIAN: Chairperson: Rhiannon Mills Seat 1 Seat 2 Responsible for recording events and activities of the Chapter and its members in both written and visual form. Historian duties include, but are not limited to: organizing Chapter Historical documents, preparing an annual scrapbook/yearbook, preserving Chapter History, researching and compiling chapter history, and giving historical presentations from time to time for members. Photos should be taken at all chapter activities; “Photo Opportunities” should be a regular item of business at chapter meetings. Photograph logs should identify a brief description of the event/or caption, the location at which the photograph was taken, the date, and names of everyone in the photograph. This committee should also arrange for an annual group photograph of chapter members each year.

NIGP Chapter 72 - Volunteer Form (Please cut this form out and give your completed copy to the Chapter President at the November Meeting)

I would like to assist our Chapter by serving on the following Committee(s): _____________________________________________________ Your Name _____________________________ Agency ________________________

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2008 will begin a new year of exciting Educational Opportunities from NIGP, Chapter Seminars, and Meeting Topics! NIGP's Seminars prepare candidates to sit for the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council's (UPPCC) Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) certification examinations. The UPPCC also requires that applicants satisfy an educational/coursework requirement to qualify for certification

It is the goal of our Chapter to assist our many members to pursue their CPPB or CPPO certification(s) by providing opportunities for the educational NIGP courses they need to meet eligibility requirements, and providing the corresponding Continuing Education Units (CEUs), contact hours, and UPPCC recertification points you will need to earn afterwards.

The UPPCC programs are designed specifically for the public procurement professionals. Only those individuals who have public purchasing experience are eligible. The programs include three essential components for eligibility:

Work experience Coursework in procurement

Formal education Unlike most purchasing-related certification programs, the Council requires substantial work experience in purchasing including some years of public purchasing experience. This work experience must be complemented by formal training courses specifically in procurement as well as formal education; with some college work preferred for a CPPB designation and a college degree required for CPPO candidates who do not hold a CPPB designation. The requirements for work experience and formal coursework are dependent upon the amount of formal college education achieved by the candidate at the time of application. For example, a four-year or advanced college degree will reduce the coursework and experience requirements.

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UPPCC Eligibility Schedules

Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Schedule A

• High School Diploma or GED • 96 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses • 5 years total purchasing experience which must include 3 years of public

purchasing experience Schedule B

• Associate's degree • 96 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses • 4 years total purchasing experience which must include 3 years of public

purchasing experience

Schedule C

• Bachelor's degree • 48 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses • 2 years of public purchasing experience

Schedule D

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) • 24 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses • 2 years of public purchasing experience

Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) Schedule A

• Holder of CPPB Designation • 144 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses • 8 years total purchasing experience which must include 6 years of public

purchasing experience, 3 of which are in a public purchasing management function

Schedule B

• Bachelor's degree • 48 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses • 3 years total purchasing experience which must include 2 years in a

public purchasing management function

Schedule C

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) • 24 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses • 3 years total purchasing experience which must include 2 years in a

public purchasing management function

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NIGP offers a complete program of seminars for the public procurement professional. A list of each NIGP educational offering as well as the corresponding Continuing Education Units (CEUs), contact hours, and UPPCC recertification points you will earn by attending can be found @ http://www.nigp.org/educate/CourseGuide.pdf .

The 72nd Chapter of NIGP will plan to host several of the Seminars offered, and for those that have all their required credits and certifications…… these seminars are a great way to improve purchasing techniques and skills, purchasing power, and increase your overall knowledge of purchasing.

Look for Scheduling Surveys for the following Seminars in the January Newsletter:

Contract Administration

Developing and Managing RFP’s in the Public Sector

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Effective Contract Writing

Performance Based Requests for Proposals

Ethics: A Survival Kit for Public Procurement

Marketing 101 for the Procurement Professional

Principles and techniques of Problem Solving

Protests and Disputes: What’s a Buyer to Do?

Webinars will also be hosted by our Chapter as arrangements can be made.

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INVOICE - MEMBERSHIP DUES

1 YR MEMBERSHIP $25.00 (January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008) (Please fill out a form for each individual member) Member Name Certification Entity Title Address Phone Fax E-mail address National NIGP Member? Yes No PURCHASE ORDERS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. (Make checks payable to GCAGPO, Inc) If you should have any questions, please contact Lisa Tudor, Treasurer, at (239) 489-9350. REMIT TO: GCAGPO, INC C/O LISA TUDOR, TREASURER EDISON COLLEGE

8099 COLLEGE PARKWAY

FORT MYERS, FL 33919