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Academy President Robert J.
O'Neill, Jr. announced today that Frank Cipolla is retiring
as director of the Academy's Center for Human Resources Management-a
position he has held since establishing the Center in 1994.
O'Neill also announced that Myra Howze Shiplett, who has been
assistant director of the Center for the past two years, will
replace Cipolla as Director effective March 18. Cipolla will
remain involved with the Academy and the Center as a consultant.
"Frank has truly been
one of the pillars of the Academy," said O'Neill. "His
vision, leadership, and determination have made our name synonymous
with excellence in the study and practice of public-sector
human resources management. We are very fortunate that Frank
is not leaving altogether and that Myra has already proven
to be an adept leader whose impressive mixture of skills and
knowledge will help the Center continue on its upward path."
Shiplett brings a wide-ranging
background from several agencies, including the Administrative
Office of the U.S. Courts, where she was Assistant Director
for Human Resources and Statistics; the Federal Housing and
Finance Board, where she was Director of Administration; the
State Department, where she was the Associate Director for
Passport Services and Associate Director for Personnel; the
Office of Personnel Management, where she was Assistant Director
for International Affairs; and the Federal Trade Commission,
where she was Director of Personnel.
Shiplett is currently directing
a project for the Chief Information Officer's Council in which
the Center is examining compensation strategies for the federal-sector
IT workforce. The project-which will recommend specific changes
in law, regulation, or practice-involves pulling together
actors from all different sectors.
Under Cipolla's leadership,
the Center has become the preeminent organization devoted
to best practices and innovative solutions to human resources
management in the public sector. The flagship of the Center's
success has been its Consortium of government agencies that
pools its resources to address pressing HRM issues. The Consortium,
which has grown from 30 member agencies in 1994 to 70 today,
has consistently provided a neutral forum for agencies to
work through some of the most controversial HR issues of the
day.
Over the past six years, the Center and its consortium have
produced:
The Center itself has conducted
studies for over 30 different agencies, including the recent
landmark report for the Department of the Navy: Civilian Workforce
2020: Strategies for Modernizing Human Resources Management
in the Department of the Navy. The Center also is frequently
called upon by Congress for its expertise in HR issues. Cipolla
has testified before Congress on many occasions. In addition,
the Center serves on a number of governmentwide task forces
and committees.
"The Academy has provided
a unique environment for the Center," said Cipolla. "Because
of its independent character and its congressional charter,
we have been able to approach issues with real objectivity-no
other organization could have provided that. The three panels
of Fellows and other experts who have overseen our work have
also provided tremendous guidance and support. Individually
and collectively, their diligence has been fantastic."
Cipolla has been affiliated
with the Academy since 1991, when he worked as a senior consultant.
As a charter member of the senior executive service, he has
held key departmental and field human resources management
positions. Cipolla also served as director of Personnel Management
for the Department of Defense, where he directed the development
of personnel policies and programs for the one million civilian
employees of the department.
Cipolla expects the transition
of directors to be seamless. "Myra has been engaged in
all aspects of what we do and has become recognized by staff
and consultants as a natural leader. What most impresses me
is her ability to identify and form partnerships with outside
organizations that have mutual objectives. With Myra as director,
we are likely to see more of this network building."
The National Academy of Public
Administration is a nonpartisan, independent organization
chartered by Congress to improve government at all levels-international,
federal, state, and local. Its primary activities involve
providing practical assistance on public management to Congress
and the Executive branches. Academy Fellows include more than
450 distinguished practitioners, scholars, civic leaders,
and other experts in public administration.
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