GSA names permanent acquisition chief

Julie Dunne will lead the Federal Acquisition Service at the General Services Administration on a permanent basis, the agency announced. She took over the position on an acting basis after the resignation of Alan Thomas.

Dunne joined GSA last spring after serving as staff director for the Government Operations Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and as senior counsel on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

"Julie's extensive background in federal acquisition policy and experience in the executive branch, private sector, and Congress provides a valuable foundation for her leadership role at GSA," the agency's chief Emily Murphy said in the statement.

Dunne will head up the service's continued work on the agency's federal marketplace strategy and IT modernization initiatives, as well as its efforts to consolidate Multiple Award Schedules and work on shared services, including the vehicle fleet program.

The agency also announced the appointment of agency veteran Tom Howder as FAS deputy commissioner on a permanent basis. Howder had served as acting deputy commissioner since November 2018 and has been with GSA for more than 30 years.