Two take top honors for service at Management of Change conference

Federal Deputy CIO Lisa Schlosser has joined a distinguished group of government leaders who have been recognized for their longstanding commitment and dedication to public service.

Schlosser and John Okay, vice president of  of J. L. Okay Consulting and IAC vice chair for finance, were honored June 4 at the 32nd annual Management of Change conference in Cambridge, Md. The event is organized by the American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council and is held June 3 to 5.

In previous years, only one winner has been given the John J. Franke Award. This year, however, two individuals were recognized for their significant contributions to federal service.

Mary Davie, assistant commissioner for the Office of Integrated Technology Services at the General Services Administration and ACT president, described the winners as ones who typically don’t make the headlines but instead work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the government better.

“This year, we have chosen to recognize two such individuals: John and Lisa exemplify the best of our profession and we are proud to recognize them with the 2012 John J. Franke Award,” she said.

Schlosser was appointed to her current role in 2011, having previously served in positions at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Housing and Urban Development, and the Transportation Department. Her private-sector experience includes stints at Global Integrity and Ernst & Young LLP.

Okay’s government career spans three decades and includes roles at the Agriculture Department, and GSA. Before retiring in 1997, Okay served as deputy commissioner of GSA’s Federal Technology Service. Two years later, he founded his own consulting business and partnered with Bob Woods, former FTS commissioner to launch Topside Consulting Group. He’s an active member of IAC and has chaired the Telecommunications Shared Interest Group.
 
The most recent years’ Franke Award winners include Roger Baker, CIO at the Veteran Affairs Department, Jim Williams, commissioner for GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service and John Johnson, former assistant commissioner for GSA’s Integrated Acquisition Service.