Washington, D.C. - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Linda M. Springer today lauded the work of the 28 Federal Executive Boards (FEBs) across the United States for their success in 2007, as noted in the newly released FEB Annual Report. Fiscal Year 2007 marked the first in which FEBs operated under a new three-tier line of business: emergency preparedness; human capital; and a foundational function of inter-governmental and community outreach.

"Federal Executive Boards are vital to the effective operation of the Federal government," Director Springer said. "With more than 88 percent of the Federal civilian workforce located outside the Beltway, we must have close coordination of Federal agency activities regardless of their location or the situation."

Highlighted in the report is a synopsis of the Minnesota FEB's role in responding to the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis on August 1, 2007. The FEB immediately opened lines of communication to Federal agencies and employees throughout the region to ensure they were aware of detours/closures, the status of their colleagues, and Federal efforts to assist with the incident. The FEB also assisted in making local connections between Federal agencies and state and local authorities involved in the response.

Aside from improving emergency preparedness capabilities, FEBs across the United States significantly reduced costs to the taxpayer by strengthening alternative dispute resolution programs. The FEBs provided, at low or no cost, high quality mediation services to Federal agencies using a pool of trained mediators from participating agencies. More than 565 cases were settled through these programs in 2007, resulting in an estimated cost avoidance of more than $18 million.

FEBs offered low or no cost training opportunities to Federal employees in 2007 to ensure the Federal workforce maintains the skills and competencies necessary to deal with future challenges. More than 23,000 Federal employees took advantage of these training opportunities, with an estimated cost avoidance of more than $6 million.

FEBs also spearheaded efforts to recruit new talent in the Federal workforce by organizing Federal Career Days at college campuses across the country, helping to provoke an interest in Federal careers among new graduates. FEBs reached out to veterans, Hispanic organizations, and others through briefings, job fairs, and career counseling sessions.

Finally, FEB Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) leadership and coordination efforts produced a significant percentage of CFC funds raised in 2007. Out of a total $271 million raised, campaigns in FEB areas collectively netted more than $82.6 million.

"This report demonstrates the effectiveness of our Federal Executive Boards in ensuring streamlined and efficient public services are made available across America," Director Springer concluded. "Working together, we will continue to perform this critical collaboration, communication, and service delivery role in 2008."

The full report is available at www.feb.gov .