Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will co-host the seventh annual summit of the National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives (NAHFE) April 7-8, 2005, in Orlando, Florida. The summit will focus on key initiatives driven by OPM Director Kay Coles James, President George W. Bush's chief federal personnel advisor.

"We must support substantive partnerships that further our aggressive outreach, education, and recruitment efforts in traditionally underrepresented communities," said James. "President Bush is committed to developing a skilled and diverse federal work force, and stakeholder organizations have a substantial role and responsibility in identifying potential talent. By partnering in this summit, we are sending the message that this Administration means what it says about improving federal employment opportunities for all Americans, while adhering to Merit System principles."

The NAHFE summit, targeted at federal employees at the GS 13, 14, and 15 levels, will focus on several major educational and recruiting initiatives aimed at Hispanic representation in the federal work force, particularly representation at the highest federal levels, including the Senior Executive Service. The summit provides a multi-program format for participants to identify barriers affecting diversity representation, and subsequent strategies for addressing those challenges.

"The President's Management Agenda calls for a diverse federal work force, and we are advancing that goal through participation in events such as NAHFE's summit," James stated.