OMB Deputy director of management nominee clears committee

The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee reported favorably on Margaret Weichert's nomination to serve as deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget.

Weichert was approved by voice vote at a Jan. 8 business meeting, and her nomination now moves for a vote on the Senate floor.

As deputy director for management, Weichert will have a hand in several major technology and workforce issues. The federal CIO reports directly to the position and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) noted she would also be the "point person" at OMB handling agency reorganization plans.

Weichert's Dec. 14 confirmation hearing went relatively smoothly, with the nominee facing few tough questions from members of the committee. She told lawmakers she was looking to build on "existing management successes" to implement a transformation vision around three areas: IT modernization, data accountability and transparency, and the federal workforce.

Lankford praised Weichert's background during the Dec. 14 hearing, calling the nominee "an entrepreneur and a proven executive."

"The committee takes these nominations very seriously and we're pleased to have a strong nominee before us," said Lankford. "Throughout her career, [Weichert] has demonstrated particular skill at strategic planning and policy implementation, as well as leading large departments of people."

When pressed for her views on a range of IT issues, Weichert largely toed the administration line by emphasizing the need for cloud computing and shared services – two core pillars of the White House IT modernization plan.

Weichert comes to government with decades of experience in the private sector at financial institutions such as Bank of America and Ernst and Young. In her nomination bio, the White House touted her background as an inventor, highlighting 14 patents in payment technology that bear her name.

"Twenty-plus years in the private sector should position me well to drive transformational change and better align federal government management capabilities to the realities and needs of the 21^st century," Weichert said during her confirmation hearing.