OMB taps ex-HP exec as IT category manager
A former HP executive is set to lead the IT category as one of 10 category managers being named under OMB's acquisition plans.
OMB has hired Kim Luke, a former vice president at Hewlett Packard, as Information Technology Category Manager. OMB officials confirmed Luke's hiring to FCW, and said nine more category managers are set to be announced on Feb. 11.
Category management is an acquisition practice that takes advantage of procurement officials with expertise in particular spending areas to reduce costs, while leveraging the market power of a large enterprise. The Strategic Sourcing Leadership Council announced the creation of 10 supercategories of commonly purchased items across the federal government.
Along with IT, other categories include travel; professional services; facilities and construction; human capital; transportation and logistics; medical; office management; security and protection; and industrial products and services.
According to Luke's LinkedIn profile, he will be responsible for the development of the government-wide strategy to drive cost savings and improved performance in federal IT commodities.
Luke had been vice president of strategic growth for U.S. public sector at HP Enterprise Services between 2005 and August 2012. Prior to that, he rose through the ranks at Electronic Data Systems, from an account manager position in the 1980s to vice president for the financial services sector by 2012.
Kay Ely, Schedule 70 director in the General Services Administration's Office of Integrated Technology Services, welcomed the appointments in remarks at a Feb. 10 GSA Industry Day, hosted by FCW sister publication Washington Technology.
"It puts positions behind the concept," she said, and advances the cause of category management the federal government.