FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 28, 2002

Contact: Sharon Wells (202) 606-2402

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Marta Brito Perez Named OPM's
Project Director for Human Capital Performance

Washington, D.C. -- Kay Coles James, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, today announced that Marta Brito Perez will serve as the agency's Project Director for Human Capital Performance.

Ms. Perez will be responsible for establishing systems to institutionalize OPM's governmentwide leadership and oversight responsibility for the Human Capital component of the President's Management Agenda. She will oversee the development and implementation of policies and programs that promote the Human Capital initiative and ensure their full integration.

"Strategic Management of Human Capital" is the first governmentwide initiative in President Bush's Management Agenda. The ability to create an effective government depends, in part, on its ability to develop and attract quality employees and to motivate them to perform at high levels. OPM has the lead for developing criteria to measure agency success on the Human Capital Initiative, for providing tools and consultative services to help agencies succeed, and for evaluating agency progress.

"Marta's extensive human resources experience has more than prepared her for this important position at OPM," said James. "Her track record of providing effective leadership makes her a perfect fit for the job of helping to create a Federal government that is citizen-centered, results-oriented and market-based."

Perez most recently served as the Director of the Office of Human Resources for the Montgomery County (MD) government. In that position, she oversaw all aspects of human resources management for more than 10,000 county employees and 4,000 retired employees and their dependents. She also served as the chief negotiator for the County's collective bargaining process, modernized the philosophy and technology of her department and incorporated data analysis techniques to direct HR into value-added functions. She also developed and supported a diversity program and represented the County Executive on issues relating to the Hispanic community.

Among her major achievements is partnering in the creation of the Hispanic Business Institute (HBI) with Montgomery College, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the County's Office of Economic Development. One of the objectives for the creation of HBI was to develop the occupational skills of Hispanics in the community to create an applicant flow of qualified Spanish speaking candidates for the County.

Perez has a M.S. degree in Organization Development and Human Resources from Johns Hopkins University along with a B.A. in Criminology from the University of Maryland. She has studied at Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and at the Stephen Covey Leadership Center. In 1998, Perez received the International Personnel Management Association's Award for Excellence. She belongs to numerous professional groups including the American Compensation Association and the Society for Human Resources Management.

Born in Camaguey, Cuba, Perez, along with her parents Anna and Francisco Brito, came to the United States with refugee status in 1968. The family brought no possessions and spoke no English upon arrival. Within three days they settled in Rockville, Maryland where they have resided ever since. Ms. Perez and her husband Manuel Perez have two children.

"Marta Perez is no stranger to challenges," James said in making the announcement. "She has demonstrated that many times in both her personal and professional life. OPM is taking the lead on improvements that will make the federal government a better and more attractive employer in today's very competitive job market. With Marta's expertise and leadership, I see an incredible human capital 'opportunity' at OPM…not a crisis, as some people have asserted."

Ms. Perez will begin her duties at OPM in mid-March.

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.