Linda Springer

Office of Personnel Management
Linda Springer
Director

Linda Springer has her work cut out for her. As head of the Office of Personnel Management, she's at the center of the Bush administration's controversial drive to overhaul the federal personnel system. In June, the administration put forth draft legislation that would implement governmentwide pay and personnel reforms similar to those pending at the Defense and Homeland Security departments.

Confirmed by the Senate in June, Springer has said she understands the anxiety and caution related to changes in federal employees' performance management and pay. But she also has encouraged agencies to start preparing now, rather than later, for personnel reform. During her May OPM confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Springer said public servants "are people, not entries on a balance sheet, and we have a responsibility to enable them to perform, perform successfully, and to be compensated in relation to that performance."

Springer has worked in both the public and private sectors, which has positioned her to lead a federal human resources revolution. As controller at the Office of Management and Budget from 2003 to 2005, she tightened internal financial controls at agencies and reduced the government's length of time for year-end financial reporting from five months to 45 days. She joined OMB in 2002 as counselor to the deputy director of management, making her familiar with all aspects of the President's Management Agenda. Springer resigned as controller in January 2005. As chief spokesperson for President Bush's personnel reform initiative, Springer still will be plenty busy.

Prior to her career in public service, the graduate of Ursinus College was senior vice president and controller of Provident Mutual, an insurance company. She also is a former small business owner in suburban Philadelphia and a fellow of the Society of Actuaries.