Federal Position Descriptions
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Board of Governors Chair

Chair of the Board of Governors, United States Postal Service
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2015 the Postal Service was budgeted at $70 billion.2 There are about 500,000 employees, with non-management employees represented by two unions: clerks and letter carriers.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Along with the other governors:
    • Selects and fixes pay and term of service for the postmaster general, who becomes a member of the board, and those 10 board members select and fix pay and term of service for the deputy postmaster general, who also serves on the board (39 U.S.C. § 202)
    • Appoints and has the power to remove the inspector general (39 U.S.C. § 202)
    • Directs the exercise of the powers of the Postal Service
    • Directs and controls the Postal Service’s expenditures
    • Reviews the Postal Service’s practices
    • Conducts long-range planning and sets policies on all postal matters
    • Takes up matters such as service standards and capital investments
    • Approves officer compensation
    • Organizes and conducts the board’s meetings3
Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements
  • CEO or COO leadership experience at a large company or government agency
  • Previous oversight experience
  • Logistical management and resource-delivery experience for a large customer base
  • Experience in public service, law or accounting, or demonstrated ability in managing large organizations or corporations in either the public or private sector (39 U.S.C. § 202)
    • At least four governors are chosen based solely on their demonstrated ability to manage public or private organizations or corporations with at least 50,000 employees. (39 U.S.C. § 202)
    • The governors shall not be representatives of specific interests using the Postal Service, and may be removed only for cause. (39 U.S.C. § 202)
  • When selecting individuals for the position of governor, the president should consult with the speaker of the House of Representatives and the minority leader, as well as the majority and minority leaders of the Senate. (39 U.S.C. § 202)
Competencies

• Communication skills for dealing with Congress, the administration and the general public

Past Appointments
  • James Bilbray (2015 to 2017) – U.S. Congressman from Nevada; State Senator, Nevada; Member, California-Nevada High Speed Train Commission; Deputy District Attorney, Clark County Nevada4
  • Thurgood Marshall Jr. (2011 to 2012) – Partner, Bingham McCutchen; Principal, Bingham Consulting Group; Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary; Director of Legislative Affairs for Vice President Gore5
  • Louis Giuliano (2009 to 2011) – Chairman and CEO, ITT Corp.; Vice President of Defense Operations, ITT Corp.; Numerous positions with Allied Signal, an aerospace group6
AGENCY

United States Postal Service

Mission: The basic function of the Postal Service is to provide postal services “to bind the nation together through the personal, educational, literary and business correspondence of the people.” The agency's mission is to provide prompt, reliable and efficient services to patrons in all areas and communities. (39 U.S. Code § 101)

COMPENSATION

Each governor receives $30,000 a year, plus $300 a day, for not more than 42 days of meetings each year, and is reimbursed for travel and reasonable expenses incurred in attending board meetings. The number of days of meetings each year is not limited to 42 days, however. (39 U.S.C. § 202)

REPORTS TO

The chair is elected by the board and serves for one year unless re-elected. Board members are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate for a term of five years. They can serve up to two terms. (39 U.S.C. § 202)

SENATE COMMITTEE

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

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Footnote
  1. https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/leadership/board-governors.htm
  2. http://www.prc.gov/docs/91/91433/FY2016_CONGRESSIONAL%20SUB_BK_FINAL.pdf
  3. https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/leadership/board-governors.htm
  4. https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/leadership/board-governors/james-bilbray.htm
  5. http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/leadership/board-governors/thurgood-marshall.pdf
  6. http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/leadership/board-governors/louis-giuliano.pdf
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