WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today released the following statement regarding U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Chief Human Capital Officer Dr. Jeff Pon’s announcement that he will be leaving DOE at the end of August.

“Serving as DOE’s Chief Human Capital Officer since January 2006, Jeff has dedicated himself to advancing the mission of DOE through strategic human capital planning.  He has played a key role in working to address one of my top priorities at the agency—improving human capital management.  Jeff has helped DOE redeploy a viable workforce pipeline extending to our universities, colleges and high schools, and established a complex-wide internship and leadership development program.

“Jeff’s commitment to service will be missed.  I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

Dr. Pon said, “During my tenure in public service, it has been an honor to serve our Nation at the Office of Personnel Management and here at the Department of Energy under this Administration.  I believe that the Department of Energy is the most important government agency when it comes to meeting the challenges facing our world.  Together, we are working to ensure that we have a diverse workforce with the skills needed to perform the vast mission of this Department.  I have been privileged to serve along side the dedicated men and women of this Department; each working to ensure a stronger, more secure future for our country and the world.”

As the Chief Human Capital Officer, Dr. Pon serves as the Secretary’s principal advisor and policy-maker on all matters relating to the design and execution of human capital strategy, and is the senior DOE official accountable for acquiring and developing a high-quality workforce within the Department.  His dedication to public service spans across government, through his membership in the Chief Human Capital Officer’s Subcommittees for Learning and Development and the Human Resources Line of Business, as well as his chairmanship of the Human Capital Workforce Subcommittee.

Prior to joining DOE, Dr. Pon served at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, where he led the government-wide effort to implement Human Resources E-Government initiatives and the Human Resources Line of Business.  Previously in his career, he managed operations and human resources in technology, retail, service, manufacturing and software companies.  Dr. Pon is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Factors, and the California School of Professional Psychology with a Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

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Bethany Shively (202) 586-4940