USPS Postmaster General recognized for excellence in leadership

American University’s School of Public Affairs named U.S. Postmaster General John Potter as a recipient of the 2007 Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership.

The university’s award, now in its 30th year, recognizes career federal government executives who carry out the public’s work and increase the quality of life for Americans while achieving outstanding organizational results.

Potter was nominated by James Miller III, chairman of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service, and by Vice Chairman Alan Kessler.

Potter, who was named Postmaster General in 2001, has been with the Postal Service since 1978. He has served as chief operating officer, senior vice president of operations, senior vice president of labor relations, and manager of Capitol Metro Operations, among other positions.

Jones, the award’s namesake, had a government career spanning six decades, during which he served as consultant and advisor to four presidents and supported the education of managers and executives as a means of improving the federal government.

Nominations for this year’s award were up more than 40 percent from last year, according to the university, making Potter’s award all the more significant. “An abundance of extraordinarily qualified candidates were presented for the 2007 award,” said William LeoGrand, dean of the university’s School of Public Affairs. “Potter’s selection is a credit to the ethos of public service at the U.S. Postal Service.”

Potter received the Roger W. Jones Award in an Oct. 4 ceremony on the campus of American University. Mark Everson, president and chief executive officer of the American Red Cross and past commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, was guest speaker.

Typically, the university grants two awards a year. The other 2007 award was presented to MaryAnn Musumeci, director of the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Bronx, NY.