[Music] [Music] [Music] hello my name is Karen main and I'm the purchasing agent at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office the purchasing division plans manages secure supplies materials services and equipment for the agency we reallocate surplus materials track capital equipment deliver supplies an agency male and operate the purchasing warehouse where we stock almost 2,000 items has six embroidery machines and issue about 3600 uniform items every month the purchasing division is unique and that we support every area of the Sheriff's Office all divisions need supplies whether it's a new member cell phone new software for the medical division or the sleek new green uniforms issued to sworn personnel a couple years ago we take care of it by communicating with various vendors and agency members evaluating existing contracts and researching and negotiating new ones our goal is to secure goods and services of the highest quality for the lowest cost with a business administration degree from the University of South Florida I worked my way up with additional procurement education to my current position in the purchasing division where I've been for almost 28 years my work of the Sheriff's Office has bought me much fulfillment and happiness not to mention a husband a now-retired PCSO deputy rich and i got married in 1991 in my free time I like to follow Tampa Bay sports teams like the lightning and the Rays take care of my two dachshunds ginger and Oscar and add to my stamp collection but my real passion is running although I only started running about two and a half years ago I've completed nine half marathons dozens of 510 and 15 ks1 triathlon and a duathlon I also manage the sunshine soul sisters a non-profit fitness and social group comprising women of all ages after living and working in Pinellas County for more than 30 years I think it's very important to give back to the community that has given me so much it is my pleasure to serve you thank you for taking the time to connect with us here on meet the Stars