Washington, D.C..- President George W. Bush has announced recipients of the prestigious Presidential Rank Awards for 2008. Michael W. Hager, Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which administers the Presidential Rank Award program, announced the award will be given to 353 leaders representing 30 agencies.

Each year, an elite group of career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific and Professional (ST) corps are selected by the President for their exceptional leadership, accomplishments, and service over an extended period of time. 

"Winners of the prestigious Presidential Rank Award represent the cream of the crop within the Federal executive ranks," Acting Director Hager said. "Their professional dedication and commitment to excellence is helping to advance President Bush's agenda for enhancing Federal Government performance and creating a more effective civil service."

There are four categories of the Presidential Rank Award, including Distinguished Executive, Distinguished Senior Professional, Meritorious Executive, and Meritorious Senior Professional.

The Rank Award of Distinguished Executive and Distinguished Senior Professional may be awarded to no more than one percent of career members of the SES and SL/ST corps and includes a cash award of 35 percent of basic pay. Meritorious Executive and Meritorious Senior Professional awards may be bestowed to no more than five percent of the career SES and SL/ST corps and includes a cash award of 20 percent of basic pay. Each winner is also presented with a signed certificate from the President and a distinctive lapel pin.

The complete list of the Presidential Rank Award recipients for FY 2008 may be found at http://www.opm.gov/ses/performance/presrankawards.asp .