Washington, DC - U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Linda M. Springer convened an 18-member panel from across the State of Ohio today to consider nominations for the 2008 Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive and Senior Professional. The review panel is composed of distinguished business executives, educators, and community leaders.

"These panelists will help reward exceptional leadership in the Federal Government" said Springer. "Through their hard work, we are able to recognize those who truly excel on behalf of the American people."

The Presidential Rank Award is the highest professional honor for career Senior Executive Service (SES) members and senior career employees.  Panelists will review accomplishments of nominees - career SES and senior level employees who have a sustained record of exceptional professional, technical, and/or scientific achievement.

The evaluation criteria includes: the ability to lead change and people, being results driven, having business acumen, the ability to build coalitions/communications, and having stature in a professional field. Awardees receive a cash award of 20 percent of their base salary. Only five percent of the career SES and senior level career community may receive this rank.

This panel is the third of four slated to meet and consider nominees for the 2008 Meritorious Rank Award. At the conclusion of the panels, 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 2008 Presidential Rank Award Meritorious Review Board for the Cincinnati, OH area are:

Mr. Lynwod Battle, Procter & Gamble retired

Mr. Andrew Ciafardini, Former Special Assistant to the President

Mr. Charles D. Clark, Executive Director, Defense Metals Technology Center

Ms. Bethany Deines, Director of Annual Gifts, The Children's Medical Center of Dayton

Mr. Michael D. Dovilla, President, The Dovilla Group

Ms. Crystal Faulkner, Partner, Cooney, Faulkner & Stevens CPA

Ms. Ann Hamilton, Hicks Partners

Ms. Francie Hiltz, Community volunteer

The Honorable William J. Keating, Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives

Mr. Michael McNamara, Public Information Officer, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney

Mr. Gregory J. Meurer, CEO, Strategic Business Masters

Mrs. Jane Portman, Community volunteer

Mr. Howard V. Roberts, Chair, Division of Business and Economics, Burlin Coleman Distinguished Professor in Business, Pikeville College

The Honorable Robert Schuler, Senator, Ohio Senate

Ms. Ellen van der Horst, President and CEO, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber

Ms. Kathy E. Walker, President, Elm Street Resources, Inc

Mr. John P. Zanotti, Retired Chairman and CEO of Citicasters, Inc., and Former President and Publisher of The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ms. Anne Poe, Assistant Principal, Nicholas County High School, Carlisle, KY