Washington, DC - Today, the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), John Berry, received the Regional Partnership Award from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). The award was presented to Director Berry at the 2012 Annual Meeting on December 12, 2012.

"Working together with the Council of Governments during weather emergencies helps OPM keep the federal government running, and our workforce safe," says Director Berry on the relationship between OPM and COG. "It's a team effort, and this partnership makes it possible. I want to accept this award on behalf of the entire OPM team."

Each year, COG members nominate partners for the Regional Partnership Award, which highlights those that have worked alongside COG to improve the quality of life for the Metropolitan Washington area. This award is given to an individual or organization which supports the programs and policies of COG.

OPM is responsible for informing the Washington, DC, area on dismissal and closure procedures during times of extreme weather conditions or other emergency events. For more information, please see: http://www.opm.gov/oca/compmemo/dismissal.pdf.

To view COG's release on the award, please see: http://www.mwcog.org/news/press/detail.asp?NEWS_ID=602.

Our mission is to Recruit, Retain and Honor a World-Class Workforce to Serve the American People. OPM 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.