Steve Thompson, Manager of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s California and Nevada Office, was named one of the Civil Service's Distinguished Executives September 28, 2007.  The Presidential Rank awards are the highest awards in outstanding leadership and service to the Federal Government for career civil servants and are selected by the President annually for their exceptional leadership, accomplishments and service over an extended period of time. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which administers the Presidential Rank Award program, announced this most prestigious award will be given to 333 leaders representing 31 agencies in 2007.

Mr. Thompson earned the Distinguished Executive Award, the highest award given to career senior executive service employees. He was recognized in part for his successful efforts on behalf of the federal government in the creation and realization of the California and Nevada Operations office, a unique, streamlined organization dedicated to better serve the needs of natural resources and people in California, Nevada and the Klamath Basin, and as the Department of the Interior’s Klamath Basin representative leading a diverse group of farmers, salmon fishermen, Native American tribes, waterfowl hunters and environmentalists in developing functional solutions to the basin’s challenges.

President Bush announced his selections as recipients of the Presidential Rank Awards for 2007 on September 28.