Indianapolis, IN - U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Linda M. Springer convened an 18-member panel of distinguished business executives, educators, and civic and community leaders from across Indiana who will gather in Indianapolis today to consider nominations for the 2007 Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive and Meritorious Senior Professional Awards.

Members of the board will review the accomplishments of nominees - career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific and Professional (ST) communities - for the awards. Nominees were nominated to receive the award by their agency Cabinet secretary or head of the independent agency in which they serve before they were forwarded to OPM for final board review.

"The diligence of the distinguished panel assembled in Indianapolis ensures the best federal civil servants are considered for this recognition," said Springer. "Being named a Presidential Rank Award winner is a major achievement and honor, and the work of this panel will result in the most deserving public servants receiving the award."

The Presidential Rank Award is the highest professional honor for career SES, SL and ST employees for exceptional performance for an extended period of time. Members of these communities manage many of the nation's most vital programs in defense, intelligence, the environment, energy, agriculture and others. Up to five percent of the career SES, SL and ST community may receive this rank.

The Indianapolis panel is the final of four to meet to consider nominees for the Presidential Rank Award. At its conclusion, Director Springer will send her recommendations to President George W. Bush, who will make the final selections and announce the award recipients later this year.

Members of the Indianapolis 2007 Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive and Meritorious Senior Professional Review Board are:

• Mark G. Ahearn, chief legal counsel and deputy commissioner, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indianapolis
• Terry W. Anker, president, Matrix Global Partners, Carmel
• Leigh Crockett, senior pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Anderson
• Jill Dunn, president, Bonavista Program Inc., Kokomo
• Bob Eddleman, Indianapolis
• Greg Goode, executive assistant to the president for external affairs, Indiana State University, Terre Haute
• Louise Henderson, community volunteer, Indianapolis
• David W. Holt, vice president, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indianapolis
• Timothy Koponen, Ph.D., Indiana/PurdueUniversity, Indianapolis
• Stuart Lowry, director of family programs, White River State Park, Indianapolis
• William P. Maxam, retired congressional aide, Brownsburg
• T. Alexander Newman, student, Ball State University, Muncie
• The Honorable Rep. Cindy Noe, House District 87, Indianapolis
• The Honorable Marjorie H. O'Laughlin, retired, Indianapolis State Treasurer
• Melissa Proffitt Reese, ICE Miller LLP, Indianapolis
• Dollyne Pettingill Sherman, deputy commissioner, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Indianapolis
• Michelle Sybesma, president, Professional Skills Consulting, Fishers
• John Willey, director of public affairs, Wellpoint, Inc., Indianapolis