The NewsRoom
Release: #3916
Date: October 29, 2008

MMS Deputy Director Named Recipient of Prestigious Presidential Rank Award

WASHINGTON, D.C.  The Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service announced today that Deputy Director, Walter D. Cruickshank, was named a recipient of the distinguished Presidential Rank Award as a Meritorious Executive.

Each year, an elite group of career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific and Professional (ST) corps are recognized by the President for their exceptional leadership, accomplishments and service over an extended period of time.

The Meritorious Executive rank is awarded to only 5 percent of the SES. The recipients are chosen through a rigorous selection process. They are nominated by their agency heads, evaluated by boards comprised of private citizens, and approved by the President. The evaluation criteria focus on leadership and results.

Cruickshank has been with MMS for 20 years, serving as Associate Director for Policy and Management Improvement before being appointed to Deputy Director in 2002. As Deputy Director, Cruickshank assists the MMS Director in the administration of programs that ensure the effective management of energy and mineral resources located on the Nation’s Outer Continental Shelf and the collection and distribution of revenues from leases on Federal and Indian lands.

Cruickshank received a bachelor of arts in geological sciences from Cornell University and a doctorate in mineral economics from The Pennsylvania State University.