Company: U.S. Government Printing Office
Company Description: GPO is an agency of the legislative branch of the United States federal government. The office prints and provides access to documents produced by and for all three branches of the federal government. GPO is currently undergoing a major transformation in building the digital tools of the future that will enable our government to work more effectively and efficiently.
Nomination Category: Individual Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Executive – Non-Services Businesses – up to 2,500 Employees

Nomination Title: Maria Lefevre, Chief of Staff, United States Government Printing Office

1. Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated executive during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):

Maria Lefevre is a motivated leader and hard-working mother of two. She is the first female Chief of Staff in the 150 year history of the United States Government Printing Office (GPO). In her position Maria is responsible for advising the Public Printer (CEO) on all aspects of GPO’s business and directing strategic planning for the agency. She is not only a visionary manager, but also a catalyst for dynamic change.

Because GPO is responsible for printing nearly everything in the federal
government, including the nation’s passports, being consistent with contemporary
innovative technologies and trends is imperative. Maria has played a critical
role in upholding the agency’s mission of Keeping America Informed, leading the
transformation of GPO from a 20th century printing operation to a 21st century
digital platform business.

When the digital age dawned, Maria was at the forefront and part of the team that
oversaw the construction of GPO’s Federal Digital System. This system will give
the public a one stop location to authentic, published government information.
She was an intrinsic part of the team that turned GPO’s balance sheet from
losses of $100 million to profits of $10 million, making it possible for the
agency to conceive of a digital future.

As the Chief of Staff to a workforce of nearly 2,300 Maria must be more than just
an industrial pioneer. She is an active negotiator with the agency’s 10 unions and
15 collective bargaining units. Maria is intimately involved with all aspects
of the agency’s operations and makes sure senior managers carry out the mission of the
agency. Without fail Maria attends to the concerns of her employees in a just and
resolving manner.

“Maria is literally my right hand in helping to transform this government agency,”
said Public Printer Robert C. Tapella. “Her tenacity, fairness, openness, and
uncanny good judgment have won the respect of managers and employees alike.
One of the secrets to her success is she listens, gathers the facts and develops a
solution. That philosophy has made a positive difference for GPO employees.”

In addition to going above and beyond in her official capacity, Maria also devotes
significant personal time and resources to the employees of GPO. She is involved
in many of the agency’s special events that ensure employees and customers of
the GPO feel appreciated and are treated with dignity and respect.

2. List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your entry. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:

“UL grad named GPO Chief of Staff” The Times Leader
http://www.timesleaderonline.com/page/content.detail/id/500246.html

“Public Printer Names Chief of Staff” GPO Press Release.
http://www.gpo.gov/news/2007/07news29.pdf

Maria S. Lefevre, Chief of Staff, Government Printing Office.
http://www.gpo.gov/management/dcos.htm

GPO’s Federal Digital Systen (FDSys).
http://www.gpo.gov/projects/fdsys.htm

3. Provide a brief biography of the nominated executive (up to 100 words):

Maria Lefevre became Chief of Staff at the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO)
in 2007. She arrived at the agency in 2004 as Deputy Chief of Staff. Prior to
arriving at GPO, Maria spent more than a decade working in Congress. She served
as the Staff Director for the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) while working as
the Policy Director for the Administration Committee. Maria got her start working as a
public servant in Ohio when she was part of a grassroots effort to elect a state
lawmaker by going door to door in a successful campaign.