Washington, D.C. - President George W. Bush has recognized recipients of the prestigious Presidential Rank Awards for 2005. Each year, the President honors an elite group of career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior Level (SL) and Scientific and Professional (ST) corps who are selected for their outstanding leadership, accomplishments and service over an extended period of time in some of the nation's most critical positions in the federal government. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) administers the Presidential Rank Award Program.

OPM Director Linda M. Springer said, "These awards present a much-deserved opportunity to recognize those who have made significant progress in advancing the President's Management Agenda while producing results for the American people. Those selected should be proud of this recognition."

Springer noted President Bush has conferred the 2005 Presidential Rank Award on 278 executives representing 35 agencies.

The rank of Distinguished Executive or Senior Professional may be awarded to 1 percent of the approximately 7,800 career members of the SES and SL/ST corps and includes a cash award of 35 percent of basic pay. The rank of Meritorious Executive or Senior Professional may be awarded to no more than 5 percent of the career SES and SL/ST corps, and includes a cash award of 20 percent of basic pay. Each winner is also presented with a signed certificate from the President.

A list of the Presidential Rank Award recipients for 2005 is located on OPM's website at http://www.opm.gov/ses/presrankaward.asp.

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