News Release

Washington, D.C.– U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James convened the first meeting of the President’s Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council which was held in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House. The meeting provided the new council members a chance to introduce themselves and present what they believe needs to be done to meet today’s strategic human resources challenges.

“Through the invaluable work of the Chief Human Capital Officers, the federal government will fulfill President George W. Bush’s promise to build and maintain a work force that is citizen-centered, results-oriented and market-based,” said James, who chairs the CHCO Council.

James described the Council as an additional body through which to drive the implementation of federal personnel flexibilities within the agencies. Citing the initiative and excellence of federal managers and employees on and after September 11, James stated that OPM will continue its commitment of supporting agency requests for assistance in seeking new flexibilities or further implementing existing authorities.

During the meeting, discussion also centered on significant organizational and policy issues because of the emphasis the President has placed on the strategic management of human capital. James made special note of agencies using the flexibilities they already have to recruit quality candidates and reshape their work force. “I believe with leadership there is a lot that can be done, not next year, not next month, but today when you get back to your offices as Chief Human Capital Officers. A part of what we want to do as a council is to make sure you know and understand the power and flexibilities you already have. If you want to change the way people are recruited and hired go back and do it. We have been charged by the President to produce results and there is no area where we need results more than in the strategic management of human capital.”

In closing, James said: “The work of the CHCO Council is going to play an invaluable role in our stepped-up drive for results. Our federal work force is the driving engine on which all our efforts depend, and the Council will be an essential and influential catalyst in the development of policies and strategies that will shape the federal government’s human resources management programs.”

The CHCO Council will meet on a regular basis to explore and coordinate activities related to the modernization of human resources systems, including advising on areas where legislation affecting human resources operations and organizations is needed.

Members of the Council include:

• Ruthie Jackson, Department of Agriculture
• Otto J. Wolff, Department of Commerce
• David S. C. Chu, Department of Defense
• William Leidinger, Department of Education
• Claudia Cross, Department of Energy
• Rosemary Taylor, Department of Health and Human Services
• Ronald James, Department of Homeland Security
• Vickers Meadows, Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Lynn Scarlett, Department of the Interior
• Joanne Simms, Department of Justice
• Patrick Pizzella, Department of Labor
• Ruth Davis, Department of State
• Michael Dannenhauer, Department of Transportation
• Rebecca Contreras, Department of the Treasury
• Eric Benson, Department of Veterans Affairs
• Robert Robero, Central Intelligence Agency
• Morris Winn, Environmental Protection Agency
• Gail Lovelace, General Services Administration
• Vicki Novak, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Patricia Norry, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Doris Hausser, Office of Personnel Management
• Reginald Wells, Social Security Administration
• John Seal, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, representing the Small Agency Council

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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