UH WELCOMES NEW PURCHASING DIRECTOR AND HUB COORDINATOR
Even
from miles away in Austin,
University of Houston�s Cougar pride
is legendary. Christopher Burton
heard about �the Pride� from his
girlfriend, a former UH PhD
graduate, and moved to join the team
in achieving Tier One status as the
new UH Purchasing Director and HUB
Coordinator.
�I am here to support the vision of
the Tier One transformation,� Burton
said. �In our role, the Purchasing
Team supports our internal clients,
university stakeholders and the
executive leadership to make that
vision a reality. I have sought to
work in environments with a
significant goal. UH is providing
that for me. I can think of nothing
more rewarding than working toward
that vision in support of the
mission of higher education.�
In Austin, Burton was the Director
of Purchasing for the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board. He
learned the ropes in contracts and
procurement while working with
DuPont and transitioned into the
public sector after he earned his
MBA. He held several managerial
positions within the state including
procurement manager for Texas
Building and Procurement Commission
(now TPASS) under the Comptroller of
Public Accounts.
As if that didn�t keep him busy
enough, Burton has also taught
undergraduate business classes for
the past six years at St. Edward�s
University, his alma mater.
�It is a labor of love being in the
classroom and engaging my students
to think critically. It is a good
day when the theory and the real
world intersect.�
With UH, Burton will lead the
Purchasing Team in the acquisition
of goods and services for internal
clients at the university, seeking
competitive opportunities to save
dollars and make sure the team is
responsive, customer-oriented and
transparent to the public. He is
also responsible for performing
outreach for the UH HUB program,
which provides contacts,
guidance and information on how UH
does business.
�The UH Purchasing Team is a service
organization, so we exist to
serve/help our clients. I am an
�open door� professional, so I
appreciate meeting with university
clients that we are here to
support,� Burton said.
In his position at the university,
Burton wants to focus on efficiency
and savings for internal clients by
looking at processes, procedures and
policy.
There is also one more personal
missing piece of the puzzle he still
seeks at the university.
�On a personal note, I am seeking a
competitive hardwood basketball game
with some �aging jocks� � age 30 and
over. I am missing my hoops church
group back in Austin. I am NOT a
former member of Phi Slama Jama, but
I still love the game and am seeking
a good group of guys who would
accept a former gym rat/die-hard
point guard. The fire still burns..�
Burton said.
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