St. Paul, MN -- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management this week will convene in St.Paul, Minnesota a panel of 12 citizens to consider nominations for an elite award given to federal employees.

Members of the Presidential Rank Award Meritorious Review Board will review the accomplishments of nominees -- career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES), the Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific and Professional (ST) communities -- for the 2005 Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive or Senior Professional. The Board will review all nominees with a keen eye to the Bush Administration's goals and criteria for sustained accomplishment in the management of federal programs and services.

Following a review of the panel's work, OPM Acting Director Dan G. Blair will send his recommendations to President George W. Bush, who will make the final selections and announce the award recipients later this year.

"We greatly appreciate the work of this 12 citizens and their service on the Presidential Rank Award Meritorious Review Board exemplify the spirit of service, both to their community and the nation," said Blair. Appointees to the board came from the state, corporate and other sectors of the community. "I thank these volunteers for assisting the Bush Administration in recognizing the best and the brightest among our federal civil servants who have chosen the noble calling of public service."

Second only to the Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive or Senior Professional, the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award is a high honor bestowed upon career federal employees. The award recognizes members of the career SES, SL and ST communities, the federal government's top cadre of managers and senior professionals, who have a consistent record of integrity, industry and commitment to public service.

Over the next month, a final Presidential Rank Award Meritorious Review Board will meet in Philadelphia, PA to consider nominees for the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award.

Members of the St. Paul, Minnesota Presidential Rank Award Meritorious Review Board are:

• Rick Aguilar - President/CEO, Aguilar Productions, Inc.
• Robbie Burkhart - Senior Analyst, Blue Rock Advisors, Inc.
• Larry Colson - President, Level 5 Technologies
• Dorothy Fleming - Marketing Director, TIS Group
• Dave Gibson - Pastor of Missions & Outreach, Grace Church
• Laura Hemler - Homemaker
• Sue Hilgart - Team Leader, Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, Inc.
• Chris Johnson - Attorney, Self-Employed
• Don McMillan - Dental Director, Premier Dental Group
• Sarah Mealey - President, Endeavor Consulting, Inc.
• Scott Melbye - Vice President of Marketing, Cameco, Inc.
• Deb Repya - Director of Advance Marketing, Securian Financial Group