Program Update November 17, 2021
The BEST program is currently engaged in Procurement of a System Integrator. We look forward to presentations later this month and will be working with the Evaluation Committee to evaluate Bidders' responses.
While we work on this we would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Program Management Office (PMO).
Meet the PMO
Our Program Management Office is a team of 10, made up of 9 functional leads and one program manager. The PMO team reports to our Executive Sponsors, A&F, CTR, and EOTSS. You’ll see our faces popping up in zoom calls and see our name in email blasts, but let’s take a moment to get to know some of our team members!
Name: Caroline Russell (she/her/hers)
Title: Communications Lead
Where are you from? Worcester, MA
Tell us a little bit about your role on the team: I’m responsible for developing materials and strategies to help illustrate the vision, tasks, and status of milestone events for the project.
What are you working on right now? This month I am working with our Evaluation Committee to coordinate documentation and meetings for SI Procurement. I'm also organizing materials to prep for Accessibility testing.
What were you doing prior to BEST? Prior to BEST I worked at the Treasury’s Unclaimed Property office, analyzing submitted reports and helping with outreach to constituents and holders. Before that, I worked at United Way of Central Massachusetts, developing fundraising campaigns and organizing grant reviews with local non-profits.
What do you like best? Any hobbies, TV Shows, Sports Teams you love? I love watching competition shows on Netflix and work as a makeup artist in my spare time.
Do you have a favorite spot for lunch? Grabbing a sandwich from Sam Lagrasa’s and taking a walk through the Common.
Name: Tryntje Bumgardner (she/her/hers)
Title: Change Management Lead
Where are you from? Santa Barbara, CA
Tell us a little bit about your role on the team: Change managers play key roles in ensuring projects meet objectives on time and on budget by increasing employee adoption and usage. I am focused on the people side of change, including business processes, systems, technology, job roles and organization structures. I am excited about working with all Commonwealth departments to ensure every user is aware of the selected solution, fully understands the changes implemented, and is ready to hit the ground running at go-live in all of their capacities.
What are you working on right now? Currently, I am part of the Evaluation Committee reviewing the System Integrator submissions. I am excited about this next step in the selection process, and I am looking forward to kicking off this project early in 2022!
What were you doing prior to BEST? Prior to joining BEST, I was the Chief of Statewide Payroll within the Comptroller’s Office. I joined the office during the HR/CMS 9.2 upgrade in 2014. Before that, I worked at North Shore Community College and the Board of Higher Education in Payroll, Labor Relations and Benefits Administration.
What do you like best? (Any hobbies, TV Shows, Sports Teams you love?) I love to travel and look forward to continuing to visit all 50 states. Currently holding at 34.
Prompt: Do you have a favorite spot for lunch? My favorite place for lunch is Florina! Everything there is delish!