OPM Announces Presidential Rank Award Winners

Washington, D.C. -- President George W. Bush has recognized recipients of the prestigious Presidential Rank Awards for 2002. In doing so, he honored a group of career members of the Senior Executive Service who have provided exceptional service to the American people over an extended period of time.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James made the announcement today that the President has conferred the rank of Distinguished Executive on 55 career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES), and 293 received the rank of Meritorious Executive.

"These senior executives are being honored for their outstanding leadership accomplishments in some of the nation's most critical programs, such as health, commerce, education, environment, international affairs, and the national defense," said James.

In addition, James said that "we must continue to bring into the SES the very best and brightest because Americans demand only the highest quality of work to be produced on their behalf."

The Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive may be awarded to 1 percent of the approximately 6,100 career members of the SES. The Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive may be given to 5 percent of the career SES and includes a cash award of 20 percent of base pay.

A list of the Presidential Rank Award recipients for 2002 is located on OPM's website at www.opm.gov/ses/presrankaward.html.

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.