Fed leaves for private sector after 35 years in government

After 35 years of federal service, John Constance, director of congressional affairs and communications at the National Archives, will retire April 28, Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein announced today.

Constance has been the National Archives' liaison to Capitol Hill for 14 years and currently supervises congressional relations, public affairs, communications and the agency's Web program.

Susan Cooper will become acting director of congressional affairs and communications, and David McMillen will assume responsibilities as acting congressional liaison within the congressional affairs and communications staff.

A native of Baltimore, Constance came to the Archives after graduating from the College of William and Mary in 1972. He has held several managerial positions at the agency, including director of policy and program analysis and chief of product acquisition and marketing for the National Audiovisual Center. Additionally, he served in extended details to the Office of Management and Budget and the Education Department, managing public affairs projects for both agencies.

Constance is leaving the Archives to begin a new career as director of government relations and public affairs at the Legal Services Corp., a private, independent, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1974 to promote access to equal justice and to provide civil legal services for low-income families and individuals. He starts May 7.