Obama to Host His First Meeting With Federal Senior Executives

The White House has scheduled a meeting between President Obama and senior executives in the federal government, Government Executive has learned.

The meeting will take place Dec. 9, and will include career Senior Executive Service employees and other senior-level managers across government. The event is open to all in qualifying positions, however there is limited space and seats are being given away on a first come, first serve basis.

Agency heads are awarding invitations to their executives, who must then log onto a website to RSVP. More than 1,000 executives have already signed up, a source told Government Executive.  Registration for the event began Tuesday.

The event will not take place at the White House, as the Obama administration has instead rented out a “large” space for it, according to individuals with knowledge of the meeting. The individuals were asked not to divulge the exact location due to Secret Service concerns.

Carol Bonosaro, president of the Senior Executives Association, who has repeatedly called for such a meeting, welcomed the news with regret it has not happened sooner.

“His failure to meet with career SES has been a strategic omission until now,” Bonosaro said. “We’re delighted the president is making time in his schedule.”

She added the career core, “badly needs a morale boost.”