New GSA administrator promotes innovation on first day
As Denise Turner Roth entered her first official day Monday as acting administrator of the General Services Administration, she focused on GSA’s opportunities to improve, many of which involve technology and innovation.
“Leading with innovation is one of GSA’s top priorities. Our work is transforming how agencies across the country are doing their jobs and serving the American people,” Turner Roth wrote on the GSA blog. “I look forward to furthering this progress by growing Total Workplace, ensuring our access to the Federal Buildings Fund, and serving as a strategic partner to help customers find cost savings and improved operational efficiencies.”
That innovation, Turner Roth explained, will continue to span GSA’s wide-ranging portfolio, from acquisition and real estate offerings to citizen and digital services, like it did under former Administrator Dan Tangherlini, who stepped down from his role Feb. 13.
“In acquisitions, GSA has launched a beta version of a governmentwide acquisition gateway, reorganized around categories of goods and services, and created new vehicles like OASIS,” she wrote. “The coming year should show continued improvement on those initiatives while also streamlining vendor and customer interaction.”
“Through offices like [the Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies] and 18F, we are transforming digital delivery of services in government, changing how agencies interact with the American people,” Turner Roth added. “I look forward to growing our efforts even further so that GSA is as closely associated with technology as it is with property and acquisitions.”
In a video accompanying the blog post, Turner Roth also announced some staffing changes with her promotion. Chief of Staff Adam Neufeld will take over for Turner as acting deputy administrator. Christine Harada, associate administrator of the Office of Governmentwide Policy, will take over as acting chief of staff.
“I consider myself fortunate to be assuming the role of Acting Administrator at an agency that has such a strong foundation,” Turner Roth wrote. “Thanks to the hard work of the public servants at GSA, we have built up a great deal of momentum. I am committed to maintaining that momentum and building on our successes as we continue to create a government for the 21st century.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if3qIysvYDs#t=85
