Patsy Semple became Executive Director of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in August 2002. As Executive Director, she serves as the chief operating manager of the agency. She is responsible for developing and implementing the agency's budget and operating plan and has direct line authority over the directorates of the agency.

Ms. Semple has over thirty-three years experience in key policy and management positions in the federal government and the private sector. Prior to her current appointment, Ms. Semple served for ten years as senior policy advisor to CPSC Commissioner Mary Sheila Gall. She has extensive executive branch experience, having served as a Special Assistant in both the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Personnel Management. She also served as Deputy Executive Director to two Presidential Commissions on Executive, Legislative and Judicial Salaries and as an advisor for two other Presidential commissions on federal compensation.

Ms. Semple has over ten years experience on Capitol Hill, serving on the staffs of Senator James Buckley (R-NY), Senator Nicholas F. Brady (R-NJ), and House Members William C. Cramer (R-FL) and Carl D. Pursell (R-MI). She has worked with several senatorial and congressional campaigns and served as assistant to the Director of the l979 George Bush for President Committee.

In the private sector, Ms. Semple served as Vice-President of the International Management Group, an association management firm. She worked for the American Enterprise Institute's (AEI) Public Opinion Magazine and in AEI's fund-raising division. Ms. Semple was also sole proprietor of an interior design firm.

Ms. Semple received her B.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park Campus. She resides in Virginia with her husband and two sons.

Patsy Semple may be reached at psemple@cpsc.gov