If you’re thinking about a transition to civilian life, or you’re a military spouse looking for work, Daniel May wants you to consider the field of public procurement.

“It doesn’t matter where you may be deployed or where your family is deployed; there is a public procurement office nearby. So with appropriate training and potentially a certification or two, that is a job you can take the moment you arrive,” said May, who is the director of procurement talent development at the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO).

May’s goal at NASPO is to strengthen long-term talent pipelines for public procurement nationwide. He works with high school and college students as well as servicemembers who are transitioning out of the military.

“With TotalForce+, we have an opportunity to reach a dynamic audience,” he said, referring to MOAA’s people-focused conference taking place Oct. 28-29 in National Harbor, Md. 

May will be at TotalForce+ to speak about employment opportunities in this field considered critical to national security. In an interview with MOAA, he talked about the importance of efficiency and modernization in defense procurement. This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Q. What new initiatives are taking place in the field of public procurement?

A. One of the initiatives is procurement modernization. When people hear “modernization,” they automatically go to technology. We’re trying to address that through some innovative use of artificial intelligence, but more important to us is turning this field into a legitimate career, not just a vocation.

We’re trying to be more strategic in who we hire and the quality of staff that we are able to get. That’s one of the reasons we’re excited to partner with TotalForce+ because when you think about servicemembers, you think of integrity, mission focus, and service mindset, and those are all things we’re trying to bring into the field.

We have always tried at NASPO to make sure we’re getting the right people into the right positions so we can help evolve and grow the field. Translate your passion as a leader into your employees, and give them the opportunity to grow, thrive, and be passionate themselves, and everything falls into place. It is 100% about the people.

[RELATED: MOAA’s Transition and Career Resources]
 
Q. How do you recruit and retain talent?

A. The best recruiting tool is not money and benefits. Those are obviously important, but it’s about people having an opportunity to make a difference — to have an impact in the work they do. Whether it’s the public or private sectors or the military, that is the No. 1 driving force that determines retention rates and helps with recruiting.

Q. What piqued your interest in TotalForce+?

A. We saw a tremendous opportunity to partner with MOAA. We heard about the event and had to get in on it. It’s an opportunity to get in front of servicemembers and spouses and hiring managers. It’s just a great opportunity to further promote what we’re trying to do with the field of procurement.

Be sure to check out Daniel May’s panel at TotalForce+, titled “Let’s Talk Procurement: A Tactical Career Move for Service-Minded Vets.” He will highlight how roles like logistics, supply chain management, and contracting build a strong foundation for procurement careers in the public sector. He’ll offer practical tips for building relevant experience while still in uniform and show how this field lets veterans continue serving.