Following a rigorous screening process, four U.S. Department of Education senior executives and a fifth former employee have been named by President Bush as Presidential Rank Award winners for 2007 for exceptional long-term accomplishments.

They are among 333 federal workers governmentwide who received the honor as part of a program begun in 2003 to recognize high-performing senior career employees.

The recipients include:

• Joseph C. Conaty, director of Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• Carol A. Cichowski, director of the Division of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Research and Postsecondary Analysis in the department's Budget Service.
• Helen Lew, former assistant inspector general for audit, Office of the Inspector General. Lew has since left the Education Department to become inspector general for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates Metrorail and Metrobus.
• Thomas P. Skelly, director of the department's Budget Service. And,
• Winona H. Varnon, director of Security Services.

Conaty received the added distinction of a Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive, while the others were honored for the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive.

"These dedicated public servants are among the best of the best here at the Education Department," said U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. "They are highly respected role models among their peers, and I congratulate them for their exemplary service to this department and our nation. On behalf of our employees across the country, I thank them for contributing to our team effort to promote excellence in American education."

According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, "Winners of this prestigious award are strong leaders, professionals, and scientists who achieve results and consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry, and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service. They have set the example."

To be selected, employees must be nominated by their agency heads, evaluated by boards of private citizens and approved by the president. The evaluation criteria focus on leadership and results.

Conaty, in his role as director of academic improvement and teacher quality programs, is responsible for administering 18 federal programs amounting to more than $6.2 billion. His office manages grant programs that support the improvement of student academic achievement and teacher knowledge.

Cichowski, as a Budget Service official, helps develop budget requests and justifications for presentation to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress. Her portfolio covers more than 70 federal education programs worth about $18 billion.

Skelly, as Budget Division director, directs a staff of 70 analysts and professionals responsible for developing the Education Department's $66 billion budget supporting more than 146 education programs and its 4,200 employees.

Varnon is a 22-year federal employee with 10 years in the career Senior Executive Service. She is responsible for physical, information and personnel security programs; safety and emergency response and preparedness; continuity of operations and government programs; and serves as critical infrastructure assurance officer for the department. In January she received the President's Gold Volunteer Service Award for more than 3,800 hours of volunteer service with the American Red Cross, community and local charities, homeless shelters and other nonprofit organizations.

Lew, before departing for the D.C.-area transit authority, handled as assistant inspector general a staff of 135 scattered in 13 offices nationwide, directing audits and evaluating the Education Department's programs and operations.

For more information on the Presidential Rank Awards program, see https://www.opm.gov/ses/presrankaward.asp

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