Kempf named acting deputy FAS commissioner

The General Services Administration has named Steve Kempf acting deputy commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service.Kempf will continue as assistant commissioner of acquisition management and will now help acting FAS Commissioner Tyree Varnado handle the service’s more than $48 billion in sales for federal agencies. Varnado designated Kempf as his deputy, according to an Oct. 6 agency newsletter.Kempf will also help Varnado, who began in his new role Sept. 21, lead the more than 4,000 employees at FAS headquarters and regional offices.In February, Kempf moved from deputy assistant commissioner in FAS’ Office of Integrated Technology Services to assistant commissioner for acquisition management.GSA’s leadership has been in flux for much of the year. Administrator Lurita Doan resigned from her job in April after two controversial years in charge of GSA. In August, Jim Williams moved from FAS commissioner to acting GSA administrator, and though President Bush nominated Williams for that job permanently, the Senate would not confirm him. That same month, deputy GSA administrator David Bibb retired, and in September, deputy FAS commissioner Barney Brasseux became deputy GSA administrator.