Nominees for FLRA and OPM

While the MSPB languishes in its unquorumed condition, draft decisions on PFRs piling up and gathering dust, nominees for the FLRA are ready for the confirmation process, according to a White House announcement---

Colleen Kiko, nominee for Chair [from www.whitehouse.gov]:

Colleen Kiko of North Dakota to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, for a term of five years beginning July 30, 2017 and, upon confirmation, designated chair. Ms. Kiko was born and raised in North Dakota. She currently serves as a Judge of the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board in the Department of Labor. Ms. Kiko has a long history with the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). She worked in its predecessor agency and, when the FLRA opened its doors on January 1, 1979, Ms. Kiko began work in the Washington Regional Office investigating unfair labor practices. She ultimately moved into positions within the headquarters of the FLRA. In 2005, she returned to serve as General Counsel of the FLRA. Ms. Kiko has served in the Justice Department in various capacities, as an associate counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, and in the private practice of law. She holds a J.D. from Antonin Scalia Law School and a B.S. degree from North Dakota State University.

And, as Member, James T. Abbott [from www.whitehouse.gov]:

James Thomas Abbott of Virginia to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for the remainder of a five-year term expiring July 1, 2020. Mr. Abbott has served as Chief Counsel to the Federal Labor Relations Authority since 2007, currently with Acting Chairman Patrick Pizzella and previously with Chairman Dale Cabaniss and Member Thomas Beck. Prior to his appointment to the Authority, Mr. Abbott served as Deputy General Counsel for the Congressional Office of Compliance, from 2004 to 2007. Earlier in his career, Mr. Abbott served as the Senior Associate District Counsel for Personnel and Ethics at the Defense Contract Management Agency; Chief Counsel at Corpus Christi Army Depot, U.S. Army Materiel Command; and Senior Labor Counsel at the HQ Depot Systems Command, U.S. Army Materiel Command. Mr. Abbott received his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia, and was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Malone University.

The OPM should soon have a new director. Nominated by the President is Jeff Pon [from www.whitehouse.gov]:

Jeff Tien Han Pon of Virginia most recently served as the Chief Human Resources and Strategy Officer for the non-profit professional membership organization, the Society for Human Resource Management as well as the Chief Operating Officer for Futures Inc., an organization dedicated to helping transitioning military explore careers, find jobs, and transition to civilian jobs. Dr. Pon previously served as a Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. in the consulting service areas of Human Resources, IT, and Change Management and as the U.S. Department of Energy's Chief Human Capital Officer. He also was the Deputy Director of eGovernment at the U. S. Office of Personnel Management where he and his teams brought about HR Shared Service Centers, Payroll Modernization, and the stand-up of USAJobs. Dr. Pon is a graduate of the University of Southern California, and holds a Ph. D. and Masters of Science degree from the California School of Professional Psychology. He is the recipient of the Grace Hopper Award, Fed 100, and multiple secretarial Distinguished Service Awards.