AIA Features | Staff Spotlight: Director of Supplier Management Varun Nikore

AIA Staff Spotlight: Director of Supplier Management Varun Nikore
By Anne Wiskerchen

Varun Nikore is extra busy each spring thanks to the Supplier Management Council Spring meeting. This is the time when AIA invites SMC members to come to Washington and meet with their congressional representatives, a group effort the director of supplier management coordinates.

In preparation for this large-scale assault on Capitol Hill, Nikore's time is spent coordinating with AIA's legislative department, setting up meetings between SMC and senators and congressman, finalizing policy issues to be discussed at hill meetings. Targeted planning is necessary to ensure the issues covered receive attention and, most importantly, action from the representatives.

During the rest of the year Nikore manages the SocioEconomic and Services Working Group as well as works on SMC's international initiatives. He also works with the SMC Executive Committee and Associate Members to focus on policies most relevant to members.

Whether it's protecting the interests of small businesses or working on policies to save them money, the most satisfying parts of working with the SMC are seeing the instantaneous impacts of the association's work at the member companies, Nikore said.

His job demands persistence under pressure Nikore said, which he developed working on political campaigns.

"If you connect yourself with the reason you're doing your job and the people you serve, nothing is too difficult to take on," he said.

According to Nikore the SMC is currently approaching the second phase of its development. At only nine years old the council is ready to take what it has learned and really focus on key issues to help suppliers thrive, said Nikore.

"A good example of this is our top issues for the spring SMC meeting," said Nikore. "One issue will protect small businesses-- Berry Amendment-- and the other will help minimize one of the greatest costs small businesses face-- health care."

Originally from Hagerstown, Md., Nikore now lives in Arlington, Va., with his wife and two children. Besides spending time with family he enjoys playing tennis, traveling, watching airplanes, and following politics.

Before coming to AIA, Nikore was a political appointee in the Clinton Administration and also worked on a number of political campaigns. He received his bachelor's degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his master's from George Mason University.