White House creates advisory board on federal management

President Obama signed an executive order on Monday establishing an independent council to advise the White House on best practices related to government management and operations.

The President's Management Advisory Board will provide the White House and the President's Management Council with strategic advice on matters related to federal productivity, technology and customer service.

The 18-member board will operate within the General Services Administration and consist of only one federal official, Jeffrey Zients, deputy director of management at the Office of Management and Budget.

"The remaining 17 members shall be appointed by the President from among distinguished citizens from outside the federal government who are qualified on the basis of a proven record of sound judgment in leading or governing large, complex, or innovative private sector corporations or entities and a wealth of top-level business experience in the areas of executive management, audit and finance, human resources and compensation, customer service, streamlining operations, and technology," the order said.

The non-federal members will be able to serve as representatives for their industry, trade association or public interest group. The White House said it expects the board, which will be purely advisory, to reflect the diverse view of its stakeholders.

While members of the board will not be paid for their services, they will be allowed travel expenses, including a per diem rate for food. GSA will provide the group funding and administrative support, and agencies were encouraged to cooperate with requests for information and assistance, the order said.

The board will operate for two years unless the White House extends it.