RON CONNER
Columbia
Summary
Strategic procurement leader with expertise in government contracting and higher education. Skilled in FAR acquisition, contract negotiations, and compliance, enhancing operational efficiency and driving cost savings through innovative strategies. Mentors multidisciplinary teams to align with fiscal stewardship and regulatory requirements.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Statewide Program Manager (Principal Investigator)
University of South Carolina
Columbia
06.2021 - Current
- Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for a statewide, federally funded program, overseeing staff, budget, compliance, and performance outcomes
- Direct and mentor a multidisciplinary team of seven professionals, ensuring alignment with program goals and federal/state requirements
- Cultivated relationships with federal, state, and local government entities, enhancing partnerships and increasing program visibility
- Designed and implemented internal standard operating procedures (SOPs) to modernize market research, contracting guidance, and training delivery
- Oversee pre-award and post-award contracting assistance, grant applications, reporting, and performance metrics
- Manage fiscal planning and resource allocation while ensuring audit readiness and regulatory compliance
- Conducted training sessions for staff on program management best practices, improving team proficiency and alignment with program goals
- Streamlined program operations through targeted process improvements, resulting in more effective service delivery
- Collaborated with teams across departments to develop effective strategies for executing programs.
- Analyzed data collected during the course of the program operations and reported results accordingly.
Director of Resource Management
South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS)
Columbia
10.2018 - 05.2021
- Managed and developed staff of 20+ employees, fostering accountability and enhancing professional growth
- Reviewed and approved procurement solicitations and contracts, including IFBs, RFPs, sole source, and emergency procurements to ensure compliance and effectiveness
- Established and updated departmental policies and procedures, streamlining operations and reinforcing governance
Procurement Manager / Supervisor
South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)
Columbia
04.2015 - 10.2018
- Led high-profile procurements involving vendors such as Microsoft, Intergraph/Hexagon, Northrop Grumman, and others
- Managed state and federally funded procurements for goods, services, and complex IT solutions, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives
- Supervised and trained procurement staff, enhancing compliance with procurement law and best practices through targeted development initiatives
- Conducted contract negotiations, administration, and dispute resolution to maintain vendor relationships and uphold contractual obligations
IT Procurement Manager / Supervisor
Information Technology Management Office (ITMO)
Columbia
07.2008 - 04.2015
- Directed full procurement lifecycle from strategic planning to contract closeout for high-value IT acquisitions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
- Negotiated EULAs, MSAs, MLAs, pricing, and terms with major vendors including IBM, Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, Oracle, Dell, Citrix, Gartner, and others
- Achieved $1M+ in cost savings through renegotiation of legacy contracts
- Awarded and administered contracts ranging from $50K to $60M+
- Supervised and developed procurement professionals, enhancing team capabilities and fostering a culture of collaboration
- Mentored junior staff to build skills and promote collaboration.
- Collaborated with other departments to streamline workflow processes, improving interdepartmental efficiency.
Inventory & Purchasing Director
Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Commission
Charleston
09.2005 - 12.2007
- Negotiated contracts resulting in $300K+ in cost savings
- Oversaw agency-wide acquisitions and inventory systems, ensuring accurate fixed-asset reporting.
- Developed annual forecasts, budgets, and depreciation schedules
- Partnered with grant-funded economic development organization to optimize procurement strategies.
Education
Master of Business Administration - MBA
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Business Administration - Computer Information Systems
Georgia Southern University
Certified Public Manager -
South Carolina Department of Administration
Skills
- Program management
- Contract management
- Vendor management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Fiscal oversight
- Performance metrics
- Funding Strategy
- Executive Procurement Leadership
- Public Sector Collaboration
- Policy governance
- Program Evaluation
- Staff mentorship
- Team mentorship
References
Available upon request
Certification
- Certified Public Manager
Timeline
Statewide Program Manager (Principal Investigator)
University of South Carolina
06.2021 - Current
Director of Resource Management
South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS)
10.2018 - 05.2021
Procurement Manager / Supervisor
South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)
04.2015 - 10.2018
IT Procurement Manager / Supervisor
Information Technology Management Office (ITMO)
07.2008 - 04.2015
Inventory & Purchasing Director
Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Commission
09.2005 - 12.2007
Master of Business Administration - MBA
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Business Administration - Computer Information Systems
Georgia Southern University
Certified Public Manager -
South Carolina Department of Administration