Mendoza selected to lead County Purchasing Department

County Chief Executive Officer Luther Snoke has appointed Pete Mendoza as the permanent director of Purchasing following a competitive recruitment process. Mendoza is a 32-year County employee who has served as interim director of County Purchasing since 2021.

“Under Pete’s leadership, the Purchasing Department has not only received the Excellence in Procurement Achievement Award from the National Procurement Institute in both 2022 and 2023, but also a total of four NACo (National Association of Counties) Achievement Awards in 2023,” Snoke said. “His team successfully supported the management of donations during the 2023 snowstorm and has participated in outreach efforts to educate and assist small businesses to become a registered vendor with the county. Purchasing has furthermore made improvements to the mail services and surplus divisions to enhance efficiency in support of county operations.”

“It has been an honor to lead the great team of professionals serving in the County Purchasing Department for the past two years,” Mendoza said. “I look forward to continuing the outstanding work we’ve been doing while growing our skills to meet the ever-evolving needs of the county and the communities we serve.”

Mendoza began his career with San Bernardino County as an eligibility worker trainee in the Human Services’ Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) in 1991. Since then, Mendoza has continued to grow his career with the county and successfully served in various leadership roles. While assigned to support the Human Services’ Information Technology and Support Division, Pete managed countywide projects and oversaw procurement processes for nearly 13 years.

Mendoza holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Redlands and an Associate of Science degree in Aeronautical Sciences. County government requires large amounts of goods and services. With 59 employees and an annual budget of $14 million, the Purchasing Department is a provider of procurement services, contract administration, vendor management, and oversight of internal purchasing program operations. The Purchasing Department includes two additional divisions, Mail and Courier Services and Surplus Property Disposition. These divisions offer valuable services to county departments and partner agencies.