Louisiana State University President Wade Rousse announces the appointment
of Michele Montero as his new System Chief Procurement Officer directing her to establish clear,
efficient and accountable purchasing practices across the LSU System to improve efficiencies and
economies of scale. Montero is a recognized leader in higher education procurement and property
management with more than 20 years of experience in the field. She played a pivotal role in modernizing
Louisiana’s Higher Education Procurement Code and is known for her operational excellence and
elevated service.
“Michele brings to the system a spirit of collaboration as well as support for streamlined purchasing of
goods and services across all institutions,” said President Rousse. “Throughout her career she has
strengthened supplier and university engagement by organizing multiple large-scale procurement summits
and supplier conferences that have expanded opportunities for everyone involved. She understands the
kind of team we’re building and is anxious to join us.”
In her current role as LSU A&M’s designated Chief Procurement Officer, Michele oversees
approximately $375 million in annual procurement activity and manages the stewardship of
roughly 85,000 taggable assets valued at $604 million. Under her direction, the Office of Property
Management has achieved a reduction in unlocated assets to below 0.45 percent annually, demonstrating
a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and asset visibility.
Additionally, Montero led the sourcing and negotiation of some of LSU’s most significant and complex
contracts, including multi-campus food service, transit service, athletics concessions, the LSU First
Health Plan and multi-license software agreements.
“Through strategic bidding practices and disciplined negotiation, we’ve been able to deliver measurable
financial impacts that strengthened LSU’s long-term financial security,” said Montero. “I look forward to
injecting these strategies throughout the system to accelerate our success.”
Montero begins her new role on Monday, March 2, 2026.