Maria C. Lopez-Santiago is the City of Springfield's new Chief Procurement Officer. Ms. Lopez-Santiago left her former position as Senior Financial Analyst/Project Director to take over the Purchasing Department from acting CPO T. J. Plante this week.

Asked to comment on her new role, Ms. Lopez-Santiago said, "It is an honor to be continuing my 27 years of service to the taxpayers of the City of Springfield in the capacity of Chief Procurement Officer.  I am confident that my professional and educational background will serve me well in meeting the challenges of this position, and I look forward to working with the staff at the Purchasing Department as well as all departments throughout the city."