Brad assumed the role of CEO at NAEP in September 2023, bringing with him a wealth of experience in leading professional associations. With a deep understanding of the unique dynamics, challenges, and promise within higher education, Brad is committed to advancing NAEP's mission to bring innovative procurement practices to higher education institutions.

In addition to his many years serving trade and professional associations as a key team member and strategic advisor, Brad has also practiced as an attorney and lobbyist, navigating the complexities of education and procurement at both state and county levels.

Brad earned a JD from St. John’s University School of Law and a BA from Middlebury College, where he majored in History and minored in Chinese.

He is the proud father of two and enjoys sharing the culinary wonders of New York City and its surrounding areas with his family, almost all of whom are willing to share spicy foods with him. He is also comically devoted to his small dog, Dosa, who spends most days with him in his office while he works.

Sara joined NAEP as the Director of Operations in September 2022. In her role, she serves as the leader of internal operations for the association and is responsible for the day-to-day deliverables.

Prior to joining the NAEP staff, Sara spent 14 years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She got her foot in the door as a temporary worker in the business center doing everything from p-card payments to working in the mail room and copy center. Soon after, she was hired as an Inventory Specialist in Procurement Services before moving into her favorite role as a Sourcing Specialist responsible for the furniture and food categories. While her skills have deteriorated since those days, she could identify the make and model for most commercial furniture and would be the crazy lady flipping over pieces in public to confirm. She eventually took on various leadership roles for the department and was privileged to serve as the last Procurement Director for the Lincoln campus before the four campuses merged Procure-to-Pay operations as one. She was a key leader in the re-organization and creation of a new multi-campus department. Sara served as the Senior Director of Campus Services and Director of Operations for P2P, University of Nebraska Office of the President.

Sara was very fortunate to work with procurement leaders who valued involvement with NAEP and the educational and networking opportunities it provided. She served as a regional board member for Great Plains (proud past President). She has also had the privilege to serve on the National Board of Directors as the District V Director and At Large Director. As a member she also spent time volunteering on various national committees, presenting sessions as regional and national meetings and attended academies and institutes.

Sara truly enjoys working at NAEP because it allows her to stay connected with all the amazing people she has met during her time as a member and most importantly she can help provide resources and support to members who play a very vital role in the success of their institutions. And occasionally she gets to put her procurement hat back on and talk shop with a member or prospective business partner.

Sara's a proud Husker, earning a Bachelors of Journalism in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She also maintains a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification through the UPPCC.

Working at NAEP also means she has time to live life as a recovering procurement professional! Sara resides in the middle of nowhere (Nebraska) spending time with her two boys and hubby (it’s kind of like a frat house). She enjoys cooking, golfing, watching all the sports, and traveling (anyplace warm).

Born in Oklahoma City in 1950, Burr grew up well before the technology explosion. He attended public schools in Oklahoma City and was the #1 runner on his high school cross-country team.

He earned dual degrees in Accounting and Spanish from Central State University (now the University of Central Oklahoma). During college, he enlisted in the Navy Reserve to take control of his fate during the Vietnam War. He later applied and was accepted into Navy Officer Candidate School, receiving his commission in August 1973. He then spent six months at the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia, where he became a “Pork Chop,” the nickname for Navy Supply Corps officers.

His first assignment as an Ensign was aboard the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. During his time there, he served rotations in Disbursing (payroll), Ship Service (sales), and Food Service (mess), with his battle station on the starboard gun director. His second tour was at Naval Air Station Norfolk as the Receiving Officer, followed by a third tour as the Deputy Supply Officer and Controller at the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility in Subic Bay, Philippines, where he worked under the former roommate of Roger Staubach at the Naval Academy.

While on active duty, he studied for and passed the CPA exam. After his tour in Subic Bay, he transitioned to civilian life and worked for six months as an Air Force Auditor in Hampton, Virginia, while continuing his service in the Navy Reserve. He then worked as a consultant in the Tidewater area before deciding to return to Oklahoma City.

He secured a position as an Internal Auditor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where he advanced through the ranks to become the Associate Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer for the University of Oklahoma. It was in this role that he became active in the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP). His first regional meeting (TOAL) was in the late 1990s in New Orleans. Over time, he became more involved, volunteering, contributing articles to the journal, and serving on the TOAL regional board. He later became a faculty member for the NAEP Academy, helping to develop and teach the Tier 2 curriculum, and also served briefly as NAEP's national Treasurer.

Throughout his career at OU, he remained committed to his Navy Reserve service, completing assignments in locations such as Pearl Harbor, Yokohama, London, and Sicily. He commanded an Advanced Supply Base unit and retired in 1990 at the rank of Commander after 20 years of service.

Although procurement was a major focus of his career, his true passion was accounting. His mother encouraged him to take a college accounting course, and he quickly discovered his talent for the field. For more than 20 years, he served as an Adjunct Faculty member at Oklahoma City University, teaching accounting to students from various disciplines. In each course, he emphasized the time-value of money, financial calculations, and the importance of retirement planning.

When he retired from OU in 2019, NAEP invited him to manage the association’s accounting and finance, a role he eagerly accepted in August of that year.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, he has been deeply involved in his community, serving as a husband, father, soccer coach, baseball coach, Cub Scout Pack Master, Boy Scout troop mentor and merit badge counselor, president of the Central Oklahoma Junior Hockey Association, and a Catholic lay minister.

While his Navy service and professional career were fulfilling, he considers his time with NAEP and his colleagues at the University of Oklahoma among the most enriching experiences of his life. He often says, “My best friends don’t live in Oklahoma,” a sentiment made true by his many connections through NAEP.

Milo J. Crabtree has spent over thirty-five years in the fields of purchasing, contracting, accounts payable and property. Milo is currently the Senior Membership Ambassador for National Association Educational Procurement. In this role he facilitates interactions with current and prospective members. He works closely with the membership team of NAEP to develop, build and manage new and existing relationships with Institutional and Associate members. He supports activities to meet the NAEP strategic plan.

During his career as Senior Associate Director of Procurement Services for The University of Alabama he directed the day-to-day activities of the Accounts Payable, Contract Management, Furnishings and Design, Purchasing and Purchasing Card Services departments.

Previously he served roles in the State of Mississippi for Department of Finance and Administration as Deputy Director, CPO, Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management in the Department of Finance and Administration, Director, CPO, Mississippi State University, Director of Procurement, and the University of Southern Mississippi. Milo holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Alabama, Mobile Alabama.

He is actively involved in several national, state and local organizations, including the National Association of Educational Procurement, National Association of State Procurement Officers, the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, and the Mississippi Association of Governmental Purchasing/Property Agents.

Milo is married to Donna Brantley Crabtree and they have two children, Brooks (Valarie) and Brett (deceased) and three grandchildren, Bella, Cooper, and Isiah.

Ashley started with NAEP in April 2023 as the Association Experience Specialist. Ashley is the main point of contact for member outreach and inquiries and strives to grow NAEP Membership. Prior to NAEP, Ashley served as the Visitor Experience Coordinator at Visit Phoenix. Ashley earned a BA in Digital Media Literacy from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm at Arizona State University (go Sun Devils!) 

Outside of work you can find her exploring antique stores, taking pictures of her adorable niece, and traveling to the closest body of water. Ashley is originally from the Midwest but decided a long time ago that the cornfields were not for her. She currently lives in NYC.

Megs started as a consultant with NAEP in 2019 and is now the Marketing and Communications Specialist. Megan is dedicated to enhancing engagement, brand identity, and community within the higher education procurement space. She leads strategic communication initiatives that connect procurement professionals, elevate NAEP’s brand presence, and drive membership growth. With a keen eye for branding and messaging, she ensures that NAEP’s values of ethical leadership, education, and collaboration are reflected across all platforms.

With over a decade of experience in marketing, branding, project management, and association communications, Megan brings a wealth of expertise to her role. She has a proven track record of developing impactful marketing strategies, leading website branding projects, crafting compelling messaging, and managing digital communications. Her ability to align marketing efforts with organizational goals has helped NAEP expand its reach, attract new members, and provide valuable resources to procurement professionals across higher education.

Before joining NAEP, Megan held roles in marketing, branding, and project management across multiple industries, including association management, e-commerce, and even managing operations of a leading hula hoop retailer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing & Merchandising from Kent State University and has earned certifications in Association Creative Marketing and Association Membership Growth. She has also shared her expertise as a speaker at industry conferences and through volunteer roles in professional marketing and association organizations.

Beyond her professional work, Megs is an adventurer at heart and will find fun anywhere she lands. She enjoys the great outdoors, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and being near water. Megs also volunteers for a local animal rescue painting pet portraits and crocheting blankets in her spare time. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio she now lives in Bend, Oregon with her husband, daughter, and their tortoise, Ambrose.

Lia’s career in education began at the American College of Physicians in Philadelphia, where she assisted in developing training programs to support primary care physicians in healthcare quality improvement initiatives. She went on to held leadership roles at the American Board of Addiction Medicine and The Addiction Medicine Foundation, contributing to the recognition of addiction medicine as a multi-specialty subspecialty and supporting physician certification and educational needs.

Later, Lia served as Program Director and Outreach Academic Specialist at Michigan State University-College of Human Medicine (MSU-CHM), where she designed and accredited educational programs for physicians and medical students while securing grant funding to support workforce development initiatives.

Now, as NAEP’s Education Manager, Lia is focused on creating engaging, collaborative, and innovative learning experiences to support the personal growth of higher education procurement professionals.

Outside of work, Lia enjoys creating lasting memories with her family and two dogs (including one that is blind and partially deaf), teaching Kundalini yoga, attending music festivals, and seeking out her next challenging hike somewhere in the world.