U.S. Office of Personnel Director Kay Coles James recently awarded Bernard Rosen the Office of Personnel Management Medal for Meritorious Service, the highest honor bestowed by OPM on Friday afternoon at an OPM Awards ceremony. This medal has been awarded by Director James only one other time during her tenure at OPM.

Rosen, retired from Federal service in 1975, leaving the Executive Directorship of the U.S. Civil Service Commission. Prior to that, he had served in a number of Federal positions including Regional Director and Deputy Executive Director of the U.S. Civil Service Commission as well as serving in the U.S. Department of State.

In awarding the medal, James said, "Bernard Rosen, affectionately known by all as ‘Bernie', has been my compass from almost the first day I became Director of The Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Wise, generous with his advice, and always focused on the most fundamental element of our Federal civil service—merit..."

Rosen was described by James, "There is no one in America today who is more associated with Merit System Principles and our cherished civil service ideals than Bernard Rosen. His devotion to those principles and ideals did not just end with his retirement, but is one that has truly been lifelong."

Rosen assisted OPM two years ago in updating the history of the United States Civil Service, called Biography of an Ideal. Rosen regularly provided his expertise and advice to Director James on all critical matters relating to preserving the integrity and values of the civil service. After his retirement, Rosen served as an Adjunct Professor of Public Administration at The American University for 25 years, and is an Elected Fellow at the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA).

The only other award of this medal was granted to Steven Cohen, currently serving as Senior Advisor for Homeland Security to Director James.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. 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.