GSA gets acquisition exec from SBA

Emily Murphy, former acting associate administrator for government contracting at the Small Business Administration, has been named chief acquisition officer at the General Services Administration.

Murphy's appointment is effective Feb. 20. She replaces Karl Reichelt, who was also chief of staff, who left the agency late last year. Edwin Fielder Jr., regional administrator for the agency's Southeast Sunbelt Region, stepped in as acting chief acquisition officer upon Reichelt's departure.

"Emily's experience and success in the private and public sectors are strong indicators of her abilities in procurement and government contracting," GSA Administrator Stephen Perry said in a statement. "I'm confident that she will contribute significantly to GSA's commitment to provide excellent acquisition services to federal agencies."

The GSA Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer is responsible for managing acquisition activities including legal and policy compliance, ensuring full competition for contract awards and developing an acquisition workforce. Murphy, who also served as a senior adviser for government contracting and business development at SBA, will manage GSA's Get It Right program to improve compliance with contracting rules.

"This office opens the way for a more focused and successful operation of GSA's acquisition efforts and consequently, a better return to the American taxpayer," Murphy said in a statement. "I'm pleased to be part of these important initiatives."