Programs: Presidential Personnel Series

One of the most critical steps in the presidential personnel hiring process is the federal background investigation. All federal employees—including presidential appointees—undergo this process to ensure their suitability for government service. We are pleased to offer this final program in our Presidential Personnel Series to provide valuable information to help you understand and navigate this important step.

We will be joined by two speakers uniquely qualified to shed light on the multiple issues involved in federal security clearances and suitability, having both served as high-ranking officials at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM):

Paul T. Conway, former Chief of Staff, OPM, and veteran of four Presidential Administrations

Kathy Dillaman, former Associate Director, Federal Investigative Services Division (FISD), OPM

You’ll learn:

What to expect from the federal background check and how long it takes to complete
Which forms and processes are used for different types of federal positions
Which agencies conduct the investigation and what the process involves
The personal, professional, and financial information you can begin gathering now to prepare for future service in a presidential administration.

Moderator:

Becky Turco, Associate Director, Phillip N. Truluck Center for Leadership Development, The Heritage Foundation

Speakers:

Paul T. Conway has served in appointed roles under four presidents and multiple governors in a career marked by extensive experience in political transition planning, personnel recommendations and management, and continuity of government programs. He served as the lead for the Trump for America Presidential Transition Landing Team for the Office of Personnel Management. His previous federal posts have included: Chief of Staff of OPM under former Director Kay Coles James; Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Labor for Secretary Elaine L. Chao; agency Chief of Staff at the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Michael Chertoff; and as Special Assistant in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. At OPM, following the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, Conway was involved in the Congressional battle to create DHS, personnel operations to stand up the department, as well as Congressional passage of the Department of Defense National Security Personnel System. He is the recipient of the DHS Secretary’s Silver Medal for exceptionally meritorious service to America, awarded by Secretary Chertoff. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, he has served as a member of the Secure Commonwealth Panel for homeland security operations, the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and as a member of the Board of Health Professions for state medical licensing.

Kathy Dillaman is a retired member of the Federal Senior Executive Service and the former Associate Director, Federal Investigative Services Division (FISD), U.S. Office of Personnel Management. She is a national expert in Federal employee suitability standards, background investigations and security clearance processes. Throughout the course of her Federal career, she worked closely with Federal appointed and career executives at all levels and communicated with the Congress and the media on the full range of issues related to the Federal clearance process. She was responsible for a staff of over 9,000 Federal and contractor personnel performing over two million background investigations annually for national security and positions of public trust and provided executive leadership for a program with an annual budget of over $1 billion. In the aftermath of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, Dillaman worked directly with former OPM Director Kay C. James to expedite investigations and clearances to support the rapid onboarding of key national security personnel across every Federal Cabinet agency. Following her retirement from Federal service, she has served as a consultant to several Federal contractors engaged in the security clearance process. She is the recipient of Presidential Rank Awards for both Distinguished and Meritorious Service.

A panel of current and former appointees share their insights on job opportunities and how hiring works in Presidential Administrations.

You’ll learn:

The wide variety and number of positions in an Administration
The in-demand skills, professional experiences, and attitude that Administration hiring managers seek
How to prepare for the hiring and background check process

Moderator:

Kyle Bonnell, Job Bank Manager, Phillip N. Truluck Center for Leadership Development, The Heritage Foundation

Speakers:

Jordan Hayley, External Relations Director, The Office of Presidential Personnel, The White House

Todd Thurman, White House Liaison, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Angela Sailor, Vice President, Edwin J. Feulner Institute, The Heritage Foundation; former Deputy Chief of Staff to the United States Department of Education, Office of Secretary Rod Paige; former Associate Director, The White House Office of Public Liaison

Steven Groves, Margaret Thatcher Fellow, The Heritage Foundation; former Chief of Staff to Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations; former Assistant Special Counsel to the President, The White House; former Deputy Press Secretary, The White House

A panel of former presidential appointees will share lessons learned on how to serve effectively in the Executive Branch.

You’ll learn:

The mindset that every appointee should adopt immediately
The knowledge, skills, and abilities—and most importantly attitude—that separate the good from the best appointees
Steps you can take right now to prepare yourself for future service in a presidential administration

Moderator:

Mike Howell, Senior Advisor for Executive Branch Relations, The Heritage Foundation; former Oversight Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Speakers:

Jessica Anderson, Executive Director, Heritage Action for America; former Associate Director, Intergovernmental Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, Office of Management and Budget

Nina Schaefer, Senior Research Fellow, Domestic Policy Studies, Health Policy, The Heritage Foundation; former Senior Counselor to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Andrew Olivastro, Director, Coalition Relations, The Heritage Foundation; former Deputy Director of Speechwriting, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce

This two-part program teaches completed staff work (CSW)—a proven method for solving problems, making decisions, and delivering results. Once a classified military leadership technique, CSW has gained traction as a primary operational methodology in the federal government.

You’ll learn how to:

Efficiently manage incoming and urgent assignments and deliver exceptional results for your agency as a manager or individual contributor
Increase effectiveness by asking key questions to clearly define the situation and the work that needs to be done
Develop a leadership mindset by anticipating what your bosses need, and producing it before they ask

Moderator:

Becky Turco, Associate Director, Phillip N. Truluck Center for Leadership Development, The Heritage Foundation

Speaker:

Steven Bucci, Ph.D., Colonel, U.S. Army Special Forces (Ret.), Visiting Fellow, The Heritage Foundation; former Staff Director and Military Assistant to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense

Serving in a Presidential Administration is unlike any other job. Staff at all levels, from junior to seasoned, frequently support appointed and career officials serving at the highest levels of our nation’s government. This program prepares you to interact with and communicate effectively with cabinet members, department heads, and other principals.

You’ll learn:

Guidelines for engagement with high-level officials
The importance of active listening and non-verbal cues in meetings
How to prepare for meetings and deliver information with confidence; when and how to offer comments and recommendations

Moderator:

Becky Turco, Associate Director, Phillip N. Truluck Center for Leadership Development, The Heritage Foundation

Speakers:

Beverly Hallberg, President, District Media Group and Senior Fellow, Independent Women's Forum

PRESIDENTIAL PERSONNEL SERIES