Washington, D.C. -- Anita R. Hanson has joined the U.S. Office of Personnel Management as a Supervisory Human Resources Specialist to support the work of Director Kay Coles James in the redesign of hiring systems and practices at agencies throughout the federal government.

With 20 years of federal civilian service, Hanson brings to OPM a wealth of experience in developing and implementing programs aligned with the strategic planning of human resources. Most recently, Hanson served as a Senior Strategic Planner with the Architect of the Capitol, where she played a crucial role in the agency's adoption of strategic planning initiatives in a number of business disciplines.

"I welcome the addition of Anita to OPM's professional team of HR strategists as we continue to work with agencies governmentwide in the design and implementation of updated and aggressive hiring processes, and merit-based human resources systems," said James. "I expect her contributions at OPM to make a real difference in the efficiency and effectiveness of federal HR operations."

Hanson is a retired military veteran, who served in the United States Navy. Over a six-year period beginning in 1999, Hanson held several positions within the Environmental Protection Agency, ending her tenure as a program manager in the Office of Human Resources and Organizational Services. In her first tour-of-duty with the EPA from 1995 through 1998, Hanson was an environmental protection specialist. She also served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses.

In the mid 1980s, Hanson was the owner and operator of a small, woman-owned business. She also has worked for the U.S. Postal Service, the Electric Power Institute and Intel Corporation.

Hanson lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her husband and their two daughters.