GPC 2023 Executive Leadership Series Speakers

Commissioner, Department of Administrative Services
Executive Leadership Speaker

Rebecca N. Sullivan was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) on January 7, 2022, by Governor Brian P. Kemp. She most recently served as DOAS General Counsel and Assistant Commissioner of Government Affairs, where her responsibilities included managing the agency’s legal division, as well as providing advice and counsel to the agency’s five operating divisions that support the enterprise of state government: statewide procurement, risk management, fleet management, surplus property, and human resources administration. Prior to joining DOAS, Ms. Sullivan spent time in private practice and served as a Policy Advisor, Deputy Executive Counsel, and Executive Counsel to former Governor Sonny Perdue. She began her legal career in labor and employment law with Elarbee Thompson in Atlanta. Ms. Sullivan is a “Double Dawg,” having earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctor from the UGA School of Law.

Deputy Commissioner, State Purchasing Division, DOAS
Executive Leadership Speaker

Jim Barnaby serves as the DOAS Deputy Commissioner of State Purchasing. Prior to joining DOAS on December 1, 2021, Mr. Barnaby served as Strategic Sourcing Director for the University System of Georgia before retiring in October 2021 with more than 25 years of service. During his service with the University System of Georgia, Mr. Barnaby worked at Georgia Perimeter College as the Director of Logistical Services where he launched eProcurement and the Georgia First Marketplace. He served in the United States Army for over 20 years and retired as a First Sergeant. As an Army Infantry First Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant, he dedicated most of his time to leading, planning and logistics. Some of the highlights of his military career were serving nine years in Europe, training new recruits as a drill sergeant at Ft. Benning, Georgia and receiving the Bronze Star for actions in Desert Storm. His last duty assignment was at North Georgia College, where he served as a military instructor. After retiring from the Army, Mr. Barnaby remained with North Georgia College and began working in Auxiliary Services. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, he was hired as the college’s Procurement Officer and the Director of Materials Management. During his time there, he established new procurement processes and launched the new PeopleSoft eProcurement Module. Mr. Barnaby earned his National Certification as a Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and a Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO).

Director of Human Resources, Georgia Department of Administrative Services
Executive Leadership Speaker

Ms. Carter has served the Human Resources community for over 20 years and the State of Georgia for 35 years. She is a Senior Certified Professional (SCP) with the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and also certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR). Ms. Carter currently serves as an Officer on the SHRM Georgia State Council, the Board of Directors for the Greater Henry SHRM Chapter and is an active member of the South Metro Human Resources Association in Peachtree City, Georgia.

Deputy Division Director, State Purchasing Division, DOAS
Executive Leadership Speaker

Mary Chapman serves as the Deputy Division Director for the State Purchasing Division and leads the Policy, Training and Supplier Outreach programs. Mrs. Chapman has more than 15 years experience in state government procurement policy, contract negotiations, program management and implementation of major projects. Mrs. Chapman began her legal career by clerking for the Augusta Judicial Circuit. She has served in state government in a variety of roles, including as a staff attorney, contracts attorney, executive business analyst with the Medicaid program and division chief for the healthcare facility regulation division within the Department of Community Health. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Georgia State University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia Law School.

General Counsel, Assistant Commissioner of Government Affairs, Georgia Department of Administrative Services
Executive Leadership Speaker

Autumn joined the Georgia Department of Administrative Services in 2013 as a legal analysis and policy writing specialist and later became manager of the Policy and Compliance unit in the DOAS Human Resources Administration Division. Ms. Cole most recently served on the DOAS legal counsel from 2018 through July of 2022 in primary support of the HRA Division. She advised HRA in all legal matters including contracting and procurement matters, statewide employment policy, statewide substance abuse testing program, flexible benefits program, state charitable contributions program, statewide talent management, and administrative oversight of the Governor-appointed State Personnel Board and Employee Benefit Plan Council. Ms. Cole earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Mercer University and a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University’s College of Law. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and previously chaired the YLD Leadership Academy.

Deputy General Counsel, DOAS
Executive Leadership Speaker

McCall Ginsberg joined DOAS in June 2014 as Deputy General Counsel. Prior to joining DOAS, Ginsberg Served as Assistant Legal Counsel and directed contracting and procurement functions for the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. She served as Legal Aide to the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives during the 2001 and 2002 legislative sessions. She is a “Double Dawg,” having earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia and a JD from the UGA School of Law and is a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO).

Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources Administration, Department of Administrative Services
Executive Leadership Speaker

Mr. Howell is responsible for leading enterprise human resource functions, including talent management, HR policy and compliance and compensation and benefits. With over 26 years of service with the State, Mr. Howell has extensive experience leading support services in the areas of human resources, information technology and administration operations. Mr. Howell has served as the Human Resources Director for the Georgia Student Finance Commission, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Clayton County Water Authority and the City of Forest Park. He also served as the Director of Local Government Services for the Coastal Regional Development Commission. Mr. Howell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration degree from Georgia Southern University. Prior to joining DOAS-HRA, Mr. Howell served as Director of Administration for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. He is certified as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.

Director of Purchasing, Technical College System of Georgia
Executive Leadership Speaker

Ms. Hunter has served the Technical College System of Georgia Mrs. Hunter has 31 years of experience to include 23 years in State Government and 8 years County Government. She is very passionate and energetic about purchasing. Mrs. Hunter is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. In 2004, she earned her National Certification as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB). She lives in Atlanta with her husband Michael of 26 years their three children and grand-daughter. In her free time, she enjoys reading.

Policy Operations Manager, State Purchasing Division, DOAS
Executive Leadership Speaker

Rebecca Krystopa is SPD’s Policy Operations Manager and has served the State of Georgia for over 25 years. Prior to joining DOAS in April 2016, Rebecca most recently worked at Georgia Piedmont Technical College as the Director of Administrative Services. In that role she was responsible for overseeing the college's student accounting, bookstore, payroll, p-card program and various finance office functions. Ms. Krystopa is a graduate of Reinhardt University with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and Leadership. She currently serves as the Vice-Chair for the Southern Region Council of the National Association of State Procurement Officers. She is also a member of the National Association of Purchasing Card Professionals and currently serves as part of the certification exam council.

Director of Procurement, Georgia Institute of Technology
Executive Leadership Speaker

Ajay Patel is currently the Director of Procurement at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has over 20 years of direct and indirect procurement experience purchasing a variety of commodities in various industries including higher education, automotive, utilities, apparel, textiles and consumer goods and packaging. Ajay has spent the majority of his career in the industry working for companies such as Ford Motor Company and Georgia Pacific. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.