1

Fiscal Year 2007

Annual Report

October 1, 2006 to

September 30, 2007

Minnesota

Federal Executive Board

Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building

1 Federal Drive, Suite 510

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55111-4008

P (612) 713-7200 F (612) 713-7203

www.minnesota.feb.gov

www.feb.gov
2

Federal Executive Boards Nationwide

Philadelphia, PA

*DoD

¤55,000

143

Newark, NJ

*DHS

¤36,000

79

Boston, MA

*EPA

¤45,479

150

San Antonio, TX

*VA

¤63,342

88

San Francisco, CA

*DOL

¤75,000

150

Pittsburgh, PA

*OPM

¤20,454

107

Kansas City, MO

*DOT

¤27,000 Plus

Undetermined

Military

156

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

*HHS

¤71,000

80

Seattle, WA

*HUD

¤24,000

147

Denver, CO

*DoD

¤39,161

160

Atlanta, GA

*SSA

¤46,053

133

Miami, FL

*DOC

¤35,672

122

Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM

*DOE

¤30,000

94

Baltimore, MD

*DoD

¤73,914

145

New York, NY

*DOT

¤52,000

152

Buffalo, NY

*DHS

¤11,000

100

Cincinnati, OH

*VA

¤15,000

123

Cleveland, OH

*NASA

¤19,000

90

Detroit, MI

*DoD

¤31,395

85

Honolulu, HI

*DoD

¤78,000

90 Houston, TX

*DHS

¤26,062

106

Los Angeles, CA

*DHS

¤151,000

200

Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

*DOI

¤36,000

120

New Orleans, LA

*DOA

¤20,141

71

Oklahoma City, OK

*DoD

¤66,105

252

Portland, OR

*DOE

¤28,000

125 Plus 150

Post Office Stations

St. Louis, MO

*DoD

¤30,000

85

* Sponsoring Agency

¤ Civilian, Military, and Postal Population

 Number of Federal Agencies Served

Chicago, IL

*GSA

¤78,000

180

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Demographics .................................................................................... 3

Executive Summary ........................................................................... 4

Background ....................................................................................... 5

Fiscal Year 2007 Results

I. Emergency Preparedness, Employee Safety and Security ......... 6

II. Human Capital Readiness ..................................................... 9

III. Foundational Activities: Intergovernmental and Community

 Activities .............................................................................. 14

Collection of Quantitative Information .................................................. 16

Organizational Chart .......................................................................... 17

General Accountability Office Report
3

Leadership Fiscal Year 2007

Chair:

Robyn Thorson, Regional Director

Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

First Vice Chair

Anne Lewandowski, Manager

Social Security Administration, Saint Paul

Second Vice Chair:

Terrance Virden, Regional Director

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs

DEMOGRAPHICS: Minnesota

Federal Workforce by the Numbers*

√ The Federal government is the third largest employer in the State of Minnesota

among public or private institutions;

√ There are approximately 35,000 civilian Federal employees (includes full and

part time) who work in over 300 duty stations across Minnesota;

√ Upwards of 20,000 postal employees live and work in Minnesota;

√ More than 43,000 Federal retirees reside here;

√ More than 400,000 veterans live and work in Minnesota;

MASS FACTS*

√ Approximately 120 Federal agencies maintain a presence in Minnesota;

√ The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are regional centers for Federal

bureaus in the Departments of Interior and Agriculture; Peace Corps;

√ The National Payroll and Data operation of the U.S. Postal Service is located in

the Twin Cities

√ Minnesota has 8 U.S. Congressional Districts;

√ There are Federal Executive Associations based in Fargo and Grand Forks,

North Dakota that are supported by our FEB

Visit www.minnesota.feb.gov or www.feb.gov to learn more
4

The Minnesota Federal Executive Board (FEB) fosters communication, coordination

and collaboration among Federal offices across Minnesota. We produce new ideas

and approaches to advance Federal initiatives and programs in the field. We identify

strategic partners, bring them together, and inspire them to work towards common

goals.

The Twin Cities Federal Executive Board was chartered in 1966 and revised its charter to reflect our statewide network in 1998.

In Fiscal Year 2007, the US Office of Personnel Management unveiled two new lines

of business for the FEB Network. The FEB successfully met the mandates under

each line of business in this first year.

1. Emergency Preparedness, Employee Safety and Security

2. Human Capital Readiness

TOP FIVE FEB MINNESOTA ACTIVITIES IN FISCAL YEAR 2007

√ Homeland Security Activities and One Large Scale Weapons of Mass Destruc

tion Tabletop Exercises

√ Training programs and Diversity/EEO programming

√ FEB Minnesota student internship program

√ 8th Annual Government On Display Exposition at Mall Of America

√ 30th Annual Minnesota Federal Civil Servant of the Year Luncheon

The Minnesota Federal Executive Board achieved valuable results during a year of

leaner budgets and tighter resources. We provided a variety of cost-effective programs and activities, in response to the needs and expectations of our member

agencies.

Vision: To become a premier and valued asset to the Federal agencies and

personnel within the State of Minnesota and the contiguous states.

Mission: Federal Executive Boards are catalysts for developing partnerships

to coordinate intergovernmental cooperation to advance local and

national initiatives.

We are grateful for the support of our member agencies to assist us in

achieving our goals.

Executive Summary
5

BACKGROUND

By Presidential Directive in 1961, President John F. Kennedy established Federal

Executive Boards (FEBs) to achieve better interagency coordination and communication among Federal departments and activities outside of Washington, DC. In 1982,

the Executive Office of the President transferred authority for the FEB functions to

the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which today maintains oversight of

the FEB program.

The need for effective coordination among Federal organizations’ field activities was

clear then and is even more important in today’s environment. Approximately 88% of

all Federal employees work outside of the National Capital area and most Federal

programs are implemented through the regional and local offices of Federal departments and agencies. Our regional and local Federal officials are the Federal

government’s principal representatives to the vast majority of our nation’s citizens.

The Boards function in four general areas: (1) providing a forum for the exchange of

information between Washington and the field about programs, management methods and administrative issues; (2) coordination of local approaches to national programs as approved by the Director, OPM; (3) communication from Washington to the

field of management initiatives and other concerns for the improvement of coordination; and (4) referral to the national level of problems that cannot be revolved locally.

Today, there are 28 FEBs located in areas with a significant Federal population. The

Boards are comprised of the highest ranking local officials from each Federal agency

in the FEB area. Board leadership and structure consists of elected officers (Chair

and Vice Chairs) Councils and Committees specific to FEB programs. The FEB staff

manages the daily operations of the board.

Thank you to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary,

National Business Center for the outstanding support of

The Minnesota Federal Executive Board
6

I. Line of Business: Emergency Preparedness,

Employee Safety and Security

Activity Category: Training, Exercises and Educational Forums

√ Federal Executive Board of Minnesota (FEB MN) Sponsored major interagency

Homeland Security Briefings: by the FBI, National Communications System,

DHS TSA-Federal Air Marshal Service; Minnesota Departments of Public Safety

and Health, Secret Service, FEMA, Federal Protection Service, State/County

Emergency Management Directors, Department of Defense.

Noteworthy Accomplishments

√ 12/0706– FEB Emergency Preparedness Seminar X, subjects included: Avian

Influenza H5N1 & Wild and Domestic Birds; FBI Briefing on Domestic Terror

Groups; Transportation Sector Update from TSA Air & Ground, Federal Air

Marshal Service; Family Preparedness

√ 2/21/07 Tabletop Exercise: Going To Red 2007 – Phase I: This was a major

tabletop exercise executed in 2007 with over 230 participants from over 100

Federal, State and Local government agencies and key infrastructure partners.

The scenario was based on a improvised nuclear device (IND) terror threat to

numerous U.S. Cities culminating with the detonation of a 10KT IND outside

the Capitol City of Saint Paul. Major agency support came from Argonne Na

tional Laboratory, DHS FEMA Region V, MN Division of Homeland Security and

Emergency Management, FBI, Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul and the

surrounding counties and many other organizations.

√ Director Morris was asked to speak at numerous conferences on the success/

lessons learned from FEB Minnesota conferences on Pandemic Influenza

tabletops and our recent Going To Red Tabletop.

Speaking engagements included:

10/30/06 talking to 11 Northeast Metro School Districts on Pan Flu and WMD

threats; 2/01/07 talking to 45 health professionals from over 30 schools in the

Northern St. Paul Suburban Schools.

Activity Category: Crisis Communications and Partnerships

√ The FEB played a critical role during two Federally designated disasters in

August 2007. The I-35W Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis on August 1st and the

extensive flooding in the Southeastern counties of Minnesota less than 2 weeks

later saw the FEB coordinate information from State and Local Government
7

resources and communicate appropriate information to all Federal agencies on

the status of the recovery, alternate traffic routes and other sensitive informa

tion on each disaster.

√ FEB Minnesota was positively profiled in the release of a General

Accountability Office Report (GAO-07-515) in June 2007. The GAO assessed

the capabilities of the FEB system for emergency preparedness and its potential

role in responding to a pandemic influenza outbreak. The executive summary is

attached to this document.

√ Director Morris was called by the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of

Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia

to testify on The Role of Federal Executive Boards in Pandemic Preparedness on

September 28, 2007 as a follow on to the GAO-07-515 report. FEB Minnesota

was included in the testimony due to our leadership in pandemic preparedness

and the tabletop exercises that we have developed and presented in the past

two years.

√ The FEB continues to refine relations with all appropriate Federal agencies

working in Homeland Security issues and Emergency Preparedness.

√ The FEB transitioned to the new FBI United States Public and Private Partner

ship (USP3) critical information communications program in August 2007. The

DHS HSIN-CI program was disbanded by the DHS earlier in the year.

√ The FEB Intergovernmental Emergency Preparedness Council leadership con

tinues with Department of Homeland Security - Transportation Security Ad

ministration as lead Federal agency - Ongoing.

√ Director Morris activated Assistant Director Mulvihill’s prior OPM background

investigation into a Top Secret Security Clearance with the Department of the

Interior. Ms. Mulvihill later joined the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force’s

monthly executive meetings in Minneapolis representing the FEB.

√ Assistant Director Mulvihill attended a DHS FEMA Class Homeland Security

Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Training Course in Chicago in

September, HSEEP is a newly developed, intermediate-level training course

that incorporates exercise guidance and best practices.

√ The FEB continued to work with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) -

Emergency Preparedness Division on priority prophylaxis treatment for key

Federal employees in the event of a terror attack or pandemic infection of the

population. FEB Staff held several meetings with MDH officials on the Strate

gic National Stockpile issues. A formal request for a memorandum of agreement on these issues was sent to the MDH through the Governor’s office in the

late Fall 2006.
8

√ Morris continues to serve on the FEB network Emergency Preparedness Coun

cil leadership continues with Department of Homeland Security - Transporta

tion Security Administration as lead Federal agency - Ongoing.

√ In October and November, the FEB assisted the Canadian Consulate General of

Minneapolis on a Border Issues summit that the consulate convened in Grand

Forks, North Dakota on November 16, 2006. The FEB assisted by providing

key speakers and participated in the very successful one day summit.

√ Director Morris attended two of the quarterly FY 2007 DHS FEMA quarterly

Regional Interagency Steering Committee (RISC) meetings in Chicago and also

attended a joint Region V FEMA/FEB/FEA regional meeting at FEMA Head

quarters.

√ The FEB continues as a secure member of the FBI and National Infrastructure

Protection Center (NIPC) Infraguard program. Attended many monthly general

meetings in FY07.

√ The State of Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Manage

ment includes a report on FEB Minnesota’s emergency management activities

in their monthly metropolitan newsletter that goes out to all State and Local

government agencies in the metro region. The FEB Director and Assistant

Director met on numerous occasions with Minnesota Commissioner of Public

Safety Michael Campion and Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and

Emergency Management, Kris Eide on mutual issues and emergency prepared

ness concerns. Ongoing.

√ The FEB website has continues to enhance a special homeland security seg

ment on FEB web www.doi.gov/febtc dedicated to homeland security with

links, information and other resources.

√ The FEB forwards regular statewide emails and faxes to Federal agencies on

the latest information from the White House Office of Homeland Security /

Department of Homeland Security and the ICEFISHX http://www.icefishx.org

Statewide information sharing network with some classified at the Law En

forcement Sensitive level.

√ FEB plays an active role in the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers.

Director Morris continues on the AMEM board of directors as Federal Agency

Liaison, a newly created partnership with the organization. The FEB assisted

AMEM with several instructors for their 47th Annual training/workshop

program in 9/16-19/07. FEB Director Morris addressed the membership

during the opening ceremonies on behalf of the Federal sector in Minnesota.
9

√ FEB continues in an active role in the Metropolitan (Twin Cities) Emergency

Managers Association (MEMA) organization and reported on FEB training

opportunities for state and local EMA managers.

√ Assistant Director Mulvihill and other members of the Interagency Emergency

Preparedness Council attended the M-STEP Minnesota Terrorism Symposium

in Brooklyn Park, MN on November 8-9, 2006.

√ FEB Minnesota successfully lobbied the National Communications System for

FEBs to become Federal Points Of Contact (POCs) for the Government Emer

gency Telecommunications System and Wireless Priority Service (GETS/WPS).

FEB Minnesota assisted several Minnesota Federal agencies obtain GETS/WPS

for their senior staff.

√ The FEB transmitted many different materials to agencies via email including

but not limited to the following items: H5N1 Avian Influenza. COOP Fill in the

blanks templates; templates for preparedness resources to distribute to offices/

personnel; mental health resources; etc.

√ The FEB continued to distribute to agencies an updated self-booting CD-ROM

based Homeland Security - Emergency Preparedness resource diskette includ

ing streaming videos, handbooks, guidelines, medical approaches and re

sources from many Federal, State and Local government agencies and nonprofit preparedness materials from the Red Cross and like organizations. Over

600 MB of updated materials are on each diskette.

√ FEB staff also maintains fully functioning offices in their residences and regu

larly tests teleworking from those locations.

II. Line of Business: Human Capital Readiness

√ FEB Minnesota Succession Planning and Leadership Development Initiative -

ongoing

√ Negotiated partnerships with local Universities for management training

√ University of Minnesota, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs - seminars,

Humphrey Forum Fellows, special intergovernmental meetings including a

briefing on the results and findings from leading national speakers

√ Many agencies at the January 2007 Government On Display Exposition at Mall

Of America did recruitment for vacant positions.

√ FEB Interagency Personnel Council
10

√ Met periodically throughout the year to discuss OPM issues; the President’s

Management Agenda; Getting to Green initiatives of the OMB and OPM.

√ Initial briefings to the FEB Policy Board by officials from the U.S. Secret Service

were conducted in FY 2007 on the potential impact of the September 1-4, 2008

Republican National Convention on Twin Cities Federal agencies.

√ The FEB Interagency Employee Development Council worked on revising its

mission to be more reactive to the younger generations of employees and

agency needs.

√ The group is an interagency diverse group of young, emerging leaders who meet

to plan strategy for ensuring a smooth transition to the new generation. Council co-chairs also sit on the FEB Policy Board (Executive Committee) to represent the general interests of emerging Federal leaders to the senior leadership.

√ The FEB continued to expand and develop our intern program in FY2007. To

meet this end we worked with several universities on internships and career

opportunities for their college students and graduates. A total 20 interns reflecting 2.2 work years of donated intern time was accomplished in FY2007,

doubling last years totals.

√ The FEB participated in the MN CUCSA 3rd Annual Government Job and Internship Fair held at University of Minnesota in October 2006. The FEB

successfully recruited interns for the Fall, Spring and Summer terms.

√ The FEB also participated in a February 2007 University of Minnesota,

Humphrey Institute for Public Policy Career and Intern fair and successfully

recruited interns for the Spring and Summer terms.

√ An estimated total of 2.21 work years of time were donated by FEB

interns that at a GS-5/1 salary and 10% additional benefits would equate

to $73,275 worth of direct work/service to the FEB and Federal community.

√ FEB Interagency Training Council

√ Offers a wide range of classes (benefits, personnel, IDP, etc.) in conjunction

with the Minnesota Cooperative Administrative Support Unit (CASU) and with

the VA Debt Management Center after the CASU was dissolved.

√ A total of 7 Pre-Retirement classes were held and 4 FERS Mid-Career programs

were conducted. Nearly 700 Federal employees were trained in these sessions

√ Saves thousands of agency dollars due to economies of scale (all MN Federal

Government)
11

√ Held in conjunction with the FAA the 6th Annual Federal Employee Education

Fair with Colleges and Universities. Over 20 Colleges and over 300 Federal

employees attended the event.

√ Meetings were held with new Federal agency heads and 6 U.S. Congressional

field offices by Director Morris and Assistant Director Mulvihill.

√ FEB Interagency Diversity Council

√ Develops and frames consistent Diversity/EEO policy among all Minne

sota Federal agencies

√ Throughout the Spring and Summer of 2007 the council developed and

executed a large, day long training program: Federal Diversity Day that

will be held in Fiscal Year 2008 on October 10, 2007

√ Conducted special drives for special needs people/groups/organizations

√ Cell Phone Drive for Battered Women

√ Eyeglasses Drive for needy people (in cooperation with Lions Clubs)

√ School Supply Drive for needy children/schools

√ Food drive during the Martin Luther King holiday period

√ Professional clothing drive for needy men/women

√ Morris presented a Multigenerational Workplace program to 20 members of

the Federal Highways Administration St. Paul Office in January and to over 60

Bureau of Prisons managers and supervisors in Waseca, Minnesota in April.

√ Sponsored 30th Annual Minnesota Federal Employee Awards Program - 5/04/

07

√ Over 100 employees honored with 5 outstanding (record number of

awardees)

√ Attended by over 500 employees from all over state

√ Attended by 6 U.S. Congressional Offices who assisted with awards pro

cess on April 23.

√ Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHB)

√ Organized 20 FEHB Health Fairs throughout the state - 11/06-12/06

√ Coordinate visits by Health Insurance Agencies
12

√ FEB Minnesota contributed to numerous Federal Times articles in FY07 on

field prospectives to national policies/issues.

√ FEB Minnesota contributed to numerous Government Executive Magazine

articles in FY07.

√ Director Morris and Assistant Director Mulvihill attended the FEB Directors

meeting in Denver, CO 4/2-4/4 and the FEB National Conference in Washing

ton, D.C. 7/30-8/02.

√ FEB MN assists agency morale programs by negotiating and offering discount

programs to Minnesota professional sporting and other events including: MLB

Minnesota Twins Baseball; NFL Minnesota Vikings Football; NHL Minnesota

Wild Hockey; NBA Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA Minnesota Lynx; St.

Paul Saints Minor League Baseball Team; University of Minnesota Football;

numerous music/events/shows at Excel Energy Center in St. Paul.

√ The FEB Intergovernmental Small and Disadvantaged Business Opportunity

Council (SADBOC) - ongoing

√ Provides forum to share upcoming contracting opportunities for 8A &

SDBs among Federal, State and Local Government agencies and nonprofit agencies which help SDBs

√ Hosted a Government Procurement Fair in Brooklyn Park, MN - 11/08/

06 that drew 600+ people and provided 20 specialized seminars on

contracting opportunities within the government. There is a major trade

fair in addition to the educational sessions which are taught by Federal

State and Local government agency representatives.

√ FEB a Government Meeting Planners Forum on 6/19 on a wide range of

Federal travel issues.

√ A half day of issues were explored and addressed by experts from Minne

sota and from Washington, D.C.

√ Active FEB Participation in the Northern Lights (MN) Chapter of the Society of

Government Meeting Professionals - All FY07

√ Forum between contractors (hotels, restaurants, convention and visitor

bureaus) and government meeting professionals

√ Assistant Director Tiffany Mulvihill is the FEB representative to the

organization. Director Morris continues as a founding member of the

chapter

√ FEB assistance to the GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy on travel issues.
13

√ Provided assistance and communication to local hotels, motels and convention

and visitor bureaus regarding questions on the new GSA Premier Lodging

program called Fedrooms for the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area - All

FY06.

√ Director Morris national workshop speaker at CFC Workshops in Seattle, WA

and New Orleans, LA

Improved Financial Performance

√ FEB Policy Board (Executive Committee) Retreat in Duluth, MN - 10/25-10/26

√ Annual strategic planning session which benefits all agency performance

and bottom line

√ The FEB continued to enhance our web based online registration program for

all major FEB events during Fiscal Year 2007. This program was initially

created by the VA Information Technology department intern (now a contractor)

and saved the FEB and government at least $10,000 annually. Credit cards are

taken online using the secure financial services of Verisign/Paypal. Registrants

receive automated emails confirming their registration, something that was not

done in the past. A module for selecting breakout sessions was begun in FY07.

See http://www.minnesotafeb.org.

√ FEB Interagency Shared Neutrals Council (Alternative Dispute Resolution) -

Ongoing

√ Mediates most difficult cases - 2 cases in FY 06

√ Very cost effective (e.g. little or no cost to agencies)

√ Statewide in scope

√ The FEB expanded use of a FEB Minnesota web based online registration

program for all major FEB events during Fiscal Year 2006. This program

was created by the VA Information Technology department and saved the FEB

and government at least $10,000 annually. Credit cards are taken online using

the secure financial services of Verisign. Registrants receive automated emails

confirming their registration, something that was not done in the past.

√ The FEB completely revamped all agency records in concert with the FBI

USP3 Critical Infrastructure Network - communications program. Several test

messages were sent to all agencies using this redundant system’s

communication network. This enhanced notification system to more than 800

contacts in over 200 locations statewide - ongoing

√ The FEB website was revised and kept to current web standards by an intern

this FY and periodically updated and meets Section 508 standards and has

diverse segments on Homeland Security - ongoing
14

√ The FEB continued to distribute to agencies an constantly updated self-booting

CD-ROM on FEB activities, councils, bylaws, a complete on-disk version of the

FEB web and interactive one click links to other important management

resources like Results.Gov for Federal managers. This electronic business card

replaces many handouts that the FEB had and the cost of each card is

approximately 20 cents each.

√ The FEB continued to update and distribute to agencies a second self-booting

CD-ROM based Homeland Security - Emergency Preparedness resource

diskette including streaming videos, handbooks, guidelines, medical

approaches and resources from many Federal, State and Local government

agencies and non-profit preparedness materials from the Red Cross and like

organizations. Over 600 MB of materials are on each diskette.

Please refer to previous goals which contain many intergovernmental and

community outreach activities that reach those objectives too.

III. Foundational Function: Intergovernmental and Community Activities

Eighth Annual Government On Display at Mall Of America:

√ The FEB again hosted a huge Federal and State Government fair at the nation’s

largest shopping mall - Mall Of America. The 8th Annual Government On

Display Exposition (GODE) at Mall Of America was held on January 27-28,

2007. A total of 24 Federal agencies exhibited at the expo, including a NASA

exhibit from the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH. A congressional

booth was staffed by all district U.S. Congressional Offices. Over 250,000

visitors attended this year’s two-day event. Special program events included:

√ The DHS - Citizenship and Immigration Services bureau held a Naturalization

Ceremony conducted by Chief Judge emeritus Paul Magnuson who swore in 30

new citizens.

Administers Combined Federal Campaign of Greater Minnesota/Dakotas -

√ FY06 $1,088,586 (down – 2.6% from FY05, $1,117,387)- 13.1%

participation rate by the Minnesota/Dakotas Workforce collected for charity

10/06 - ongoing

√ Oversees Local Federal Coordinating Committee

√ Recruits Federal volunteers. Recruited adequate number of Community Liai

son (Loaned Executive) positions for the Fall 2006 campaign.

√ Director Morris national workshop speaker at CFC Workshops in Seattle, WA

and New Orleans, LA
15

Partnerships

√ Board meetings were held at two foreign consulates in Minnesota during Fiscal

Year 2007.

√ Canadian Consulate General sponsored our November 2006 meeting.

√ Mexican Consulate sponsored our May 2007 meeting.

√ Morris held meetings on mutual issues with Canadian Consul General Kim

Butler and many with Consul Robert Pengally of the Canadian Consulate in

Minneapolis in FY2006.

√ FEB is a member of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce

√ Developed special pricing for Federal agency membership

√ Enhance business/government cooperation

The FEB maintains active partnerships with the following organizations:

√ St. Paul Chamber of Commerce - ongoing

√ Metropolitan Council - ongoing

√ Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers (AMEM) - ongoing

√ Metropolitan Emergency Managers Association (MEMA) - ongoing

√ Director Morris serves as a Board of Director to this organization in the

position of Federal Agency Liaison

√ Society of Government Meeting Professionals, Northern Lights Chapter (MN) -

ongoing

√ Federal Executive Associations in North Dakota

√ All Minnesota U.S. Congressional Offices – ongoing

√ Canadian Consulate General in Minneapolis – ongoing

√ Mexican Consulate in Saint Paul – ongoing

√ Numerous Minnesota State Government Agencies including: Department of

Public Safety; MN Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management;

Department of Education; Department of Revenue; Department of Natural

Resources; Department of Health.

√ American Red Cross Blood Services – North Central Blood Region – ongoing.

√ Morris is Vice Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of the

North Central Blood Region – ongoing.

√ The FEB sponsored several Red Cross blood drives in Fort Snelling and

other locations in the metropolitan area.

√ Morris was Red Cross National Nominating Committee member – 2006-2007.
16

FEB Minnesota Fiscal Year 2007 Annual Report

Collection of Quantitative Information

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) 2006 Total Contributions $1,088,586

Awards and Recognition (name of event) Number of Attendees Number of Awards Presented

30th Annual Minnesota 543 105

Federal Civil Servant of the Year Awards Luncheon

Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) - Shared Neutrals Program”AF Study” Measurement

Results:Workplace Dispute: $12,065Pre-EEO Complaint: $49,313.22EEO Complaint (after entering

formal process): $47,082.10

Number of Cases Accepted Number of Cases Resolved Estimated Cost

 Avoidance

 2 2 $96,395

FEB-Sponsored Training Session(s)

Number of Attendees; Market Price; FEB Price; Estimated Cost Avoidance (savings x number of

attendees)

CSRS Pre-Retirement Seminar 4 Sessions (in conjunction with VA DMC)

260 $ 300 $60 $62,400

FERS Pre-Retirement Seminar 3 Sessions (in conjunction with VA DMC)

195 $ 300 $60 $46,800

FERS Mid Career Seminar 4 Sessions (in conjunction with VA DMC)

260 $ 250 $60 $49,400

Homeland Security X Terrorism Training /Going To Red TTX

450 $ 50 $ 0 $22,500

Government Diversity Day 230 $ 150 $25 $28,750

Total # of Sessions: TotalAttendees:1,395; TotalMarket Price:$258,500; TotalFEB Cost:$48,650

TotalCost Savings By FEB Minnesota to Federal agencies in FY2007 = $209,850
17

Minnesota Federal Executive Board Organizational Chart
What GAO Found

United States Government Accountability Office

Why GAO Did This Study

Highlights

Accountability Integrity Reliability

May 2007

THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE 

Additional Steps Needed to Take 

Advantage of Federal Executive Boards’ 

Ability to Contribute to Emergency 

Operations 

Highlights of GAO-07-515, a report to the 

Subcommittee on Oversight of 

Government Management, the Federal 

Workforce, and the District of Columbia, 

Committee on Homeland Security and 

Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate 

OPM, which provides direction to 

the FEBs, is now emphasizing that

in the post-9/11 environment, the 

boards have a transformed

emergency support role. The report 

discusses the boards’ emergency 

preparedness roles and 

responsibilities and their potential 

role in preparing for and 

responding to pandemic influenza. 

GAO selected 14 of the 28 FEBs for 

review because they coordinate the 

greatest number of federal 

employees or had recent

emergency management

experience. 

What GAO Recommends

Particularly given the threat of

pandemic influenza, GAO

recommends that the Director of

OPM discuss with FEMA and other 

stakeholders the feasibility of 

integrating FEBs in national

emergency plans. In completing the 

FEB strategic plan, OPM should 

also establish accountability for the

boards’ emergency support 

activities and develop a proposal to

address the uncertainty of funding

sources for the boards. While not 

commenting specifically on the

recommendations, OPM said it is 

building a business case through 

which to address the resources

FEBs need to continue operations 

and that institutionalized

relationships with partners such as

FEMA can help address funding 

issues. FEMA said that it welcomed 

the opportunity to work with OPM 

to formally define the FEB role in 

emergency planning and response.

Located outside Washington, D.C., in 28 cities with a large federal presence, 

the federal executive boards (FEB) are interagency coordinating groups 

designed to strengthen federal management practices, improve 

intergovernmental relations, and participate as a unified federal force in 

local civic affairs. Created by a Presidential Directive in 1961, the boards are

composed of the federal field office agency heads and military commanders 

in their cities. Although membership by agency heads on the boards is 

required, active participation is voluntary in practice. The boards generally

have staff of one or two full-time personnel, including an executive director. 

The FEBs have no congressional charter and receive no congressional 

appropriation but rather rely on voluntary contributions from their member 

agencies. Although the boards are not intended to be first responders, the 

regulations that guide the FEBs state that emergency operations is one of 

their functions. 

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the FEBs have 

designated emergency preparedness, security, and employee safety as a 

core function of the boards and are continuing to work on a strategic 

plan that will include a common set of performance standards for their 

emergency support activities. All of the selected FEBs were performing 

emergency activities, such as organizing preparedness training, and FEB 

representatives and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

officials reported that these activities mutually advanced their missions. 

The FEBs, however, face key challenges in carrying out their emergency

support role. First, their role is not defined in national emergency plans. 

According to several FEMA officials, FEBs could carry out their emergency

support role more effectively if it was included in national emergency 

management plans. The framework within which the FEBs operate with 

member agencies and OPM also poses challenges in holding the boards 

accountable for their emergency support function. In addition, the funding 

sources for the boards are uncertain, affecting their ability to plan for and 

commit to providing emergency support services. 

 

Despite these challenges, the nature of pandemic influenza, which presents 

different concerns than localized natural disasters, makes the FEBs a 

particularly valuable asset in pandemic preparedness and response. Many of 

the selected boards had already hosted pandemic preparedness events, 

which included their member agencies and local community organizations.

With the greatest burden of pandemic response resting on the local 

communities, the FEBs’ outreach and their ability to coordinate across 

organizations suggest that they may be an important resource in preparing 

for and responding to a pandemic. 

www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-515.

To view the full product, including the scope 

and methodology, click on the link above. 

For more information, contact Bernice 

Steinhardt at (202) 512-6806 or 

steinhardtb@gao.gov.