Cronyism and BFF’ery at work again?

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Transparency State has recently learned that the survey company- Precision Task Group –that has been given the greenlight to do the salary compensation survey for TSU for $302,255 on February 22, 2019 appears to have a previous potentially personal connection with King Lane. 
Precision Task Group is holding a Star Gala fundraiser for the Lone Star College Foundation on May 4, 2019 and the co-chairs are employees of Precision Task Group.  The event is at the Woodlands Waterway at the Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. 
However, Transparency State was at the Board of Regents meeting on February 22 and some BOR members did ask the HR Director, Ms. Yolanda Edmund and Mr. Huewitt (VP of Administration and Finance/CFO) if there had been bids from other contractors.  At that time, both of them admitted to the BOR that there had been a total of 4 bids but stressed that even though Precision Task Group may be more costly, they had necessary experience and expertise.  The BOR members asked to see the other bids in the Executive Session, which both the HR Director and CFO seemed a little reluctant to do so.  Transparency State has no idea what was discussed further behind closed doors of the Executive Session. 
Although Precision Task Group has been approved, we wonder if they had a prior cozy and friendly relationship with King Lane as they appear to have a good relationship with Lone Star, enough to hold a star gala fundraiser with 2 of their employees as co-chairs.  King Lane was hired right out of Lone Star so he appears to have known this company well enough to hire them again here at TSU.  Should we consider this as another example of cronyism and BFF’ery?  Transparency State certainly believes so.       

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