National Academy of Public Administration to Honor former Comptroller General Gene Dodaro with Keeper of the Public Trust Award

Media Advisory

June 1, 2026

Contact: Matt Hampton (mhampton@napawash.org)

National Academy of Public Administration to Honor former Comptroller General Gene Dodaro with Keeper of the Public Trust Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Academy of Public Administration will honor former U.S. Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro with the Keeper of the Public Trust Award during the Celebration of the American Public Servant 250 Gala at the Library of Congress on Monday, June 22. 

“Mr. Dodaro has been an incredible steward of public trust. At a time when trust in government is at critically low levels, public servants like Mr. Dodaro are more important now than ever,” said James-Christian Blockwood, President & CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration. “This is an honor earned with dedication, hard work, and more than one trillion dollars in public savings over his tenure as Comptroller General of the United States.” 

“I am honored to receive this recognition from the Academy,” said former Comptroller General Gene Dodaro. “In doing so, I want to recognize the thousands of dedicated people I have witnessed performing the noble profession of serving our nation and the American people. I am proud to represent them, including my colleagues--past and present--at the U.S. Government Accountability Office.”

Dodaro has been a lifetime government employee, joining the U.S. Government Accountability Office in 1973 and serving a term as U.S. Comptroller General spanning 10 Congresses and 5 Presidents. His commitment to nonpartisan, nonpolitical service at GAO is a model for successful, impactful public service at all levels. 

Over the course of his career in public service, Dodaro was involved in the creation of GAO’s renowned “High Risk List,” a government listing of programs and agencies most in need of help to complete their mission and has saved more than $1.2 trillion in taxpayer funds. A recent release from GAO on his retirement estimated that every one dollar invested in GAO during Dodaro’s tenure created $133 in returns. GAO’s recommendations also led to thousands of improvements in federal programs, public safety and government operations, as well as numerous governmentwide management legislative reforms.”

Dodaro has received several other awards in his career, including an Arthur Flemming Award in 1989, a Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership in 2009, a 2023 John Glenn Excellence in Public Service Award, and induction into the Government Executive Hall of Fame in 2025. He has been an Academy Fellow since 2001. 

The Keeper of Public the Trust Award will be presented to Dodaro at the Celebration of the American Public Servant 250 Gala at the Library of Congress on Monday, June 22. He’ll join Academy President James-Christian Blockwood on stage to accept the award. 

Presented with Leadership Connect and Government Executive, Celebrating the American Public Servant seeks to shine a light on the value and importance of public service. The Celebration of the American Public Servant 250 Gala is the Academy’s signature contribution to the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, and a tribute to the people whose work strengthens our nation every day.

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About the National Academy of Public Administration 

Established in 1967 and chartered by Congress, the National Academy of Public Administration is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that helps government leaders solve the nation’s most critical management challenges. With more than 1,000 Fellows, including former cabinet officials, governors, mayors, and scholars, the Academy advances excellence in public administration through research, advisory services, and thought leadership. 

Learn more at www.napawash.org