One of the United States Postal Service’s strongest allies in the Senate is concerned about how the federal agency selected its postmaster general-designate.
Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., has voiced concern that Megan Brennan may have been selected by the USPS board of governors without the “robust and thorough search” he believes the job of chief postal executive requires.
He also suggested that as few as four governors may have selected Brennan to succeed Patrick Donahoe, because five of the nine presidentially selected governors’ positions are vacant.
Only presidentially nominated governors are allowed to vote on the selections of postmasters general.
Asked about Carper’s criticisms, David Partenheimer, a USPS spokesman, confirmed that the vote to select Brennan was unanimous: 4 to 0.
Carper’s criticisms are important because he has stood by the agency, pressing for legislation that seems to be much more favorable to postal management than measures that have been before the House. Read more
There are only four out of the required nine members sitting on the USPS Board of Governors
Currently, the board consists of chairman Mickey Barnett, a former Republican state senator from New Mexico and onetime aide to Senator Pete Domenici. Barnett’s term expired in December 2013. Governors may continue to serve following expiration of their term or until a successor is appointed but not for more than one year. He is waiting for confirmation by the full Senate.
Vice chair James Bilbray, an-ex Democratic congressman from Nevada. Bilbray’s term expires in December 2015.
Louis Giuliano, a Republican is the former CEO of ITT Corporation and a senior advisor to the Carlyle Group. . Guiliano’s term expires next month (December 2014).
Ellen Williams, a lobbyist and former chairwoman of the Republican Party of Kentucky.Williams’ term expires next month (December 2014)
The four existing members were all appointed by former President George W. Bush.
There are five vacancies on the USPS Board of Governors. By the end of this year it could possibly be EIGHT vacancies (not counting the PMG and DPMG) due to Senate inaction.
The last time there were no vacancies on USPS Board of Governors–Dennis J. Toner was confirmed by the Senate in 2010. Toner’s term expired in 2012. It appears Stephen Crawford if confirmed will not have a chance to sit down for long. The following are nominees waiting for confirmation and time is running out.
- Stephen Crawford (D) was nominated by President Barack Obama in June 2012 for a term expiring December 8, 2015
- James Miller, III (R) was nominated by President Barack Obama in March 2012 for a term expiring December 8, 2017 . Miller was on the Board from 2003-2012 and the Senate is delaying his confirmation.
- David Michael Bennett (D) was nominated by President Barack Obama on April 23, 2013 for a term expiring December 8, 2018
- Vickie Kennedy (D) , widow of Senator Ted Kennedy, was nominated by President Barack Obama on February 13, 2014 for a term expiring December 8, 2016
- David S. Shapira was nominated by President Barack Obama on October 8, 2014 for a term expiring December 8, 2019
USPS Board Of Governors nominees
current members of the USPS Board of Governors
Mickey D. Barnett-current USPS Board of Governors chairman
Senate inaction causing empty chairs at the USPS Board of Governors. PRC got next in empty chairs, 2 of 5 chairs vacant with Chairman Ruth Goldway’s term expiring November 22, 2014. Senators are more concerned with Goldway’s traveling than confirming nominees Nanci Langley and Tony Hammond.
Actions by board with 4 members:
USPS Board of Governors decide not to seek rate hike for January 2015
since I was censored on this board about donehoe picking his woman……I called Carper’s office in DC and “pointed him in the right direction” his aid said she would relay the message that brennan was on IOD, then 204b, than stupidervisor, and then donehoe’s lackey for the last 28 years………postal reporter is not the only game in town. now investigate the woman! with all the retired Fortune 500 executives out there, they pick this woman. at least the VA Administration got a real exective retired from Procter & Gamble Corporation.
The BOG is just as reprehensible as the rest of the USPS management core if for no other reason than to allow Donahoe to run amok and try his damnedest to cripple the USPS for bribes. When he first perjured himself to Congress about misleading financial figures that should have ended his reign immediately. Now we have a virtual lackey to take his place with a minority vote. When will this bs end and the USPS be forced to actually put competent fair minded people at the top with respect and attention to the customer’s needs and the employees’ input? That’s a rhetorical question. We’ll have teleportation before that happens.