FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 19, 1998

CONTACT: Dale Fruchtnicht 804-980-6200 defrucht@opm.gov

FEI Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Charlottesville, VA -- The Federal Executive Institute (FEI) will celebrate its 30th anniversary in ceremonies on :

Janice R. Lachance, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), will participate in dedication ceremonies of a new building that will increase the number of specialized course offerings available to federal agencies. She also will speak at a luncheon for friends of FEI.

FEI is the federal governments development center for senior executives. It opened its doors in October 1968 and has provided residential training for over 16,000 federal executives. It occupies the site of the old Thomas Jefferson Inn on Emmet Street.

A component of OPM, FEIs mission is to improve the performance of government by leading in the development of federal executives who are exceptional leaders, understand their constitutional role, possess a broad corporate view and pride themselves in serving the American people.

FEI will exhibit Leadership Images, a collection of photographs by Jim Carpenter of Gitchells Studio in Charlottesville as part of the anniversary program. Carpenter, a 1998 recipient of the Eastman Kodak Gallery Award, has taken photographs of FEIs program participants, faculty and staff for over 10 years. The Leadership Images collection includes Carpenters photographs of six U.S. Presidents and other world leaders.

Also on the program for the day is Press Conference with Thomas Jefferson presented by Clay Jenkinson, one of the nations leading first-person historical interpreters. Jenkinson has dedicated his life to interpreting the life of the most remarkable man who ever held the office of President of the United States. His method is to stay resolutely in character, but to permit President Jefferson to comment carefully on a world he did not live to see.

The additional classroom and bedroom space in FEIs new building will allow the Institute to conduct concurrent programs throughout the year. The new building at FEI will include three classrooms and 16 bedrooms, bringing total capacity to 12 classrooms and 86 bedrooms. The U.S. General Services Administration contracted for the $1.9 million structure.

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