Dr. Gowing is the Director of OPM's Personnel Resources and Development Center. The award is sponsored by the Society for Psychologists in Management, the professional association representing psychologists who work in managerial positions in the public and private sectors. It recognizes outstanding contributions to the practice of management, including the development, refinement, and implementation of practice, procedures and methods that have a major impact on people in organizational settings.

Gowing is the first recipient of the Distinguished Psychologist in Management Award from the public sector. Last year's recipient was Dr. Donald Clifton, Chairman of the Gallup Organization. Gowing received the award at the Society's Midwinter Conference in Tempe, Arizona, on March 4, where she presented an address summarizing the accomplishments of OPM's research center. These accomplishments include:

• developing the competency profiles for federal occupations;
• moving the government toward "whole person assessment" based on these competencies;
• designing automated systems for human resource management; and,
•  supporting Vice-President Gore's National Partnership for Reinventing Government through the assessment of the government's progress in building an organizational climate that is customer-driven and results-oriented.

Gowing, a member of the Senior Executive Service since 1989, has received awards from the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, and the American Society of Association Executives. In 1990, she was presented the Psychology Distinguished Alumna Award from George Washington University for "exemplary achievements in research, public service and service to the discipline and the profession." In 1999, Gowing received the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award.

In recognition of the recent honor, Director Lachance said, "Dr. Gowing is a wonderful example of the top-quality talent we have in the federal work force. Marilyn entered the public service 11 years ago with the desire to improve government operations, results and our service to the nation. Through her leadership of the Personnel Resources and Development Center, she has transformed the way government does business, using interagency networks to address common HR issues, resulting in agencies receiving maximum benefits at a minimum cost. This award is a well-deserved honor."

Gowing is a graduate of the College of William and Mary where she majored in psychology. She received her master's and doctorate degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from George Washington University. Gowing serves on the George Washington University National Council of Arts and Sciences, the Advisory Board of the Human Resources Institute, and the Consortium on Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations. She has authored many journal articles and book chapters. Her most recent book, The New Organizational Reality: Downsizing, Restructuring and Revitalization, is published by the American Psychological Association.