To recognize exceptional leadership among persons who have devoted themselves to a life of public service, American University and its School of Public Affairs annually grant the Roger W. Jones Award to two federal career executives who have demonstrated the values promoted by Roger W. Jones. Sixty distinguished executives have been recognized with this award since the university initiated it 30 years ago.
The award honors the contributions of the many career executives who carry out the work of government and improve the quality of life among the public at large. It recognizes the challenges imposed upon career executives who balance the necessities of leadership and active pursuit of government goals with respect for the rule of law. It expresses appreciation to the persons who demonstrate and maintain the values of public service.
2008 ROGER JONES AWARD RECIPIENTS
In its 31st year, the Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership recognizes public servants in the federal government whose careers are marked by extraordinary effectiveness in organizational development and a strong commitment to training and educating managers and executives. David M. Walker, former comptroller general of the United States, chairs the selection committee, which is composed of distinguished government executives. The award is named for Jones (1908–1993), a leader in federal government for more than four decades.
THE ROGER W. JONES AWARD
The criteria for this prestigious award for federal career executives (members of SES) are demonstrated exceptional capabilities in the following areas:
- superior leadership which has resulted in outstanding organizational achievements
- a strong commitment to bringing about effective continuation of government by helping to develop the careers of people who will serve as managers and executives in the future federal service
Selection of each year’s recipients is made by a distinguished panel.
The award ceremony, held in the fall on the American University campus, honors the year’s two recipients, each of whom also receives a cash award of $2,500.
Roger W. Jones (1908–1993) encouraged the development of two generations of public servants and played a leading role in the professional development of public administration. In a public service career that spanned six decades, he worked for the World War II Munitions Assignment Board, the Office of Management and Budget, the State Department, and the U.S. Civil Service Commission. Both as a career executive and as a presidential appointee, he served as a consultant and advisor to four presidents. Throughout his career, Mr. Jones worked to support the education of managers and executives as a means of improving governmental administration. For his exceptional leadership, he received among other honors the President’s Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service, the Stockberger Award, and the National Civil Service Award.
THE NOMINATION PROCEDURE
Presidential appointees and other administration appointees are invited each spring to submit nominations of career executives responsible to them who have demonstrated outstanding executive leadership. The 2009 deadline has been extended to May 22, 2009.
To nominate a candidate, please submit the following four documents:
- a brief biographical sketch including employment and significant awards (not to exceed two pages)
- a narrative description of the nominee’s superior leadership that resulted in outstanding organizational achievement, making clear the achievement’s nature and significance and the career executives specific role (not to exceed three pages)
- a narrative description of the nominee’s strong commitment to effective continuity of government, through successful development of managers and executives, including the nominee’s specific actions and success in institutionalizing the development of career executives and individual managers and executives (not to exceed three pages)
- a signed cover letter from the head of the agency, or other appropriate administration appointee, recommending the nominee for the award.
Nominations may be submitted either by mail or e-mail in either MS Word or PDF format.
Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership
Office of the Dean
School of Public Affairs, Ward 310
American University
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8022
202-885-2941
rogerjonesaward@american.edu
SELECTION COMMITTEE
ROGER W. JONES AWARD FOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
David M. Walker, Chair
President and CEO, Peter G. Peterson Foundation
Former Comptroller General of the United States
Melissa J. Allen
Former Assistant Secretary for Administration, Department of Transportation
Charles Bowsher
Former Comptroller General of the United States
Mortimer Downey
Former Deputy Secretary, Department of Transportation
Harold B. Finger
Former Associate Administrator for Management
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John W. Hill
Chief Executive Officer, Federal City Council
James C. Miller III
Former Director, Office of Management and Budget
Frances Fragos Townsend (SPA/BA '82)
Former Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
Jacquelyn L. Williams-Bridgers
Former Inspector General, Department of State
EMERITI
Ray Kline
Former President, National Academy of Public Administration
Elmer B. Staats
Former Comptroller General of the United States
General Accounting Office
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE FOR THE ROGER W. JONES AWARD
Cornelius M. Kerwin
Interim President
William M. LeoGrande
Dean, School of Public Affairs
Bernard Rosen
Former Executive Director, United States Civil Service Commission
Distinguished Adjunct Professor Emeritus, School of Public Affairs
Robert Cleary
Former Executive Secretary, Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
Professor Emeritus, School of Public Affairs
THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Ranked among the top 10 schools of its kind in the country, American University’s School of Public Affairs (SPA) provides public affairs education on the executive, graduate, and undergraduate levels.
SPA offers the Key Executive MPA, the only such accredited degree in the nation (NASPAA). The Key mission is to foster better government by educating professionals and managers to become effective, top-quality team and executive leaders. The 20-month program brings government executives together for an intensive, results-oriented learning experience and provides exposure to all of the ECQs required for Senior Executive Service consideration. Key alumni are federal leaders across all agencies and across the nation.
The school also offers accredited master’s degrees in public administration (MPA) and public policy (MPP), combined degrees, and certificates, as well as a PhD in public administration. American University is the leading producer of Presidential Management Fellows in the nation (2005, 2006). SPA is home to research centers and institutes in the fields of political science, public administration, public policy, and justice. Graduates of AU’s School of Public Affairs are active in global policy legislation, advocacy, and the nonprofit and private sectors.
