Washington, D.C. - Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kay Coles James today announced the promotion of Paul Thompson as Operations Officer at the Natural Resources Center.

Director James welcomed Thompson and said, "Paul's extensive experience within the federal government is an asset to the entire OPM Strategic Human Capital Management effort. His performance during his career at OPM has been exemplary. We are pleased to have him onboard at this new position."

Thompson began his Federal career at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in 1977, and was associated with the personnel demonstration authority from 1984 to 1995, the last 5 years as chief of the unit. From 1995 to 2001, he headed OPM's HRM accountability effort, taking that program from its earliest stages to the issuance of an Executive order mandating such systems.

During 2000, he also served as an interim Resource Management Officer for a 200-person organization, managing a $17 million budget.

Thompson holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton College in Minnesota as well as a Master of Arts from the University of Wisconsin, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. He is married and has two sons.

Director Kay Coles James was appointed OPM Director in July 2001 by President George W. Bush. Director James is the President's principal advisor in matters of personnel administration for the 1.8 million members of the federal civil service.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM 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.