Congressional staffer takes deputy role at US Postal Service

The US Postal Service has appointed a senior Congressional staffer as its deputy postmaster general, as it continues to press Congress to countenance major reforms. Ronald A. Stroman is currently staff director and senior policy advisor for the House of Representatatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform – the very committee currently examining proposals for major changes to USPS services and procedures.

He will officially take up his new role on April 4, the day before his new company faces his previous employer to assess the recent collective bargaining agreement with the American Postal Workers’ Union.

The USPS said its new deputy postmaster general would lead all its outreach and communications efforts with congressional and mailing industry leaders, with his team including VP of government relations Marie Therese Dominguez, VP of corporate communications Sam Pulcrano and VP of consumer and industry affairs Susan LaChance.

The USPS said he would play a lead role in urging Congress to restructure the Postal Service retiree health benefits prefunding obligations, move to a five-day-per-week delivery service and win extra powers to downsize the USPS network.

Stroman will also work to strengthen relationships with the mailing industry and postal customers.

He will serve on the Board of Governors, which appointed him, as well as part of Postmaster General Pat Donahoe’s top team of executives.

Louis J. Giuliano, the chairman of the Postal Service Board of Governors, applauded the new deputy PMG’s bipartisan credentials in pressing the case before Congress.

He said of Stroman: “His depth of understanding of the legislative process as well as his demonstrated ability to work with members on both sides of the aisle makes him an important addition to the USPS team as we work through the many issues facing us today.”

Prior to his two years with the House Oversight Committee, his 30-year career in government and legislative affairs has seen Stroman spending a little over eight years as managing director of the US Government Accountability Office, while from late 1997 to early 2001 he was a director in the US Department of Transportation.

Commenting on the appointment, the PMG echoed Giuliano’s words highlighting Stroman’s bipartisan credentials. Donahoe said: “A manager and a leader, Ron’s career is a testament to his ability to work in a bipartisan fashion and communicate effectively through challenge and change.

“I look forward to working closely with Ron as we continue our evolution as a forward-thinking, fast-acting company with outstanding service as its foundation,” added Donahoe.