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News Release
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Tel: 202-606-2402
OPM Acting Director Delivers Keynote Address at Awards Ceremony
Compliments award recipients for their service to America
Washington, D.C. - During his keynote speech Leadership Is No Accident: Improving the Way the Federal Government Serves America at the 2nd Annual Government Computer News Information Technology Awards ceremony, U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Dan G. Blair expressed appreciation to the award winners for the important work they do to "protect and serve America."
"Leadership is key to improving government management and performance and producing results for the American taxpayers, and you are providing that leadership in the form of ideas, ingenuity, and technical innovation" said Blair. "You have left a record of excellence in your agencies by providing leadership and inspiration to those around you."
Blair stressed that "today's" Information Technology (IT) leaders often have just minutes or even seconds to make critical decisions, and in the current threat environment, it is crucial they have timely access to the information they need to make those decisions.
"Whether tracking potential biological attacks, intercepting satellite communications traffic, or ensuring the safety and security of our transportation infrastructure, our reliance on Information Technology could never be overstated," said Blair. "The evolution of the systems that deliver our information is another great story in American history, and one that you are very much a part of."
The award winners included:
Tony Cicco, General Accounting Office
Colonel David Coker, Army
Walton Fletcher, Marine Corps
Mike Frazer, County of Los Angeles
Mary Stone Holland, Department of State
Glen Johnson, Department of State
Patrick McCreary, Department of Justice
Chris Niedermayer, Department of Agriculture
Colonel Jill Phillips, Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Linda Travers, Environmental Protection Agency
In closing, Blair again thanked the award recipients by saying, "Each of you has been described as unsung heroes of government IT management - working your way through the system and toiling behind the scenes. Today we honor your performance and results, and I want to once again congratulate you on your splendid achievements. Each challenge you have faced, you have seen as an opportunity...In my mind, there can be no finer calling than to drive change and results for our Nation - and you are doing just that."
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the leader in workforce management for the federal government. Our agency builds, strengthens, and serves a federal workforce of 2.2 million employees with programs like hiring assistance, healthcare and insurance, retirement benefits, and much more. We provide agencies with policies, guidance, and best practices for supporting federal workers, so they can best serve the American people.