Washington, D.C. - U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Deputy Director Dan G. Blair has assumed the position of Acting Director at the Agency effective February 1, 2005 as the resignation of former Director Kay Coles James became official.   

"I am very honored to support President George W. Bush and this Administration by serving as the Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management," Blair said Tuesday.  "I look forward to working with the dedicated and professional staff at OPM as we continue the momentum and build on the progress made under the leadership of former Director Kay James, while laying the groundwork for the future leadership of this Agency and the American civil service."

Federal statute states that upon the departure of the Agency head, the Deputy Director automatically becomes Acting Director of OPM until a permanent Director is nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate.  Mr. Blair was unanimously confirmed as OPM Deputy Director on February 13, 2002.  Prior to that, he served 17 years on the House and Senate Committees which oversaw the civil service.

He was born and raised in Joplin, Missouri. He received a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1981 and his Juris Doctor from the School of Law at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1984. Mr. Blair and his wife, Michele, reside in Washington, D.C.         

A complete bio of Acting Director Blair can be found at the following web address:  http://www.opm.gov/news/bios/deputy/