The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) – a congressionally chartered non-profit that conducts research and other work addressing government challenges – has appointed James-Christian Blockwood as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer, effective in January 2025.
Blockwood will succeed Terry Gerton, who is finishing up an eight-year term as NAPA’s president and CEO.
Blockwood is coming to NAPA after serving as executive vice president at the Partnership for Public Service. Prior to that, he held positions with the Government Accountability Office, the Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“In our search for our next President and CEO, the Board of the Academy was looking for a combination of broad and deep experience in public administration, outstanding leadership skills, and a demonstrated commitment to the Academy’s unique role and mission” said Janet Weiss, Academy Board chair, who added, “in James-Christian Blockwood we have identified a leader we believe will build on Terry’s legacy, the reputation of the Academy and our capacities for the future.”
“It was an honor to be elected a Fellow of the Academy nearly ten years ago, and now a privilege to have the confidence of the Board of Directors to lead the Academy into its next era – especially with the Academy’s 60th and our Nation’s 250th anniversaries as milestones ahead,” Blockwood said. “I am proud to have the opportunity to work with our extraordinary Fellows and the entire Academy staff.”
At the same time, NAPA announced the selection of 42 “leaders in the field of public administration” to its 2024 Class of Academy Fellows, including several well-known in Federal government tech and management circles:
- Darren Ash, CIO at the Interior Department;
- Laura Stanton, assistant commissioner IT Category at the General Services Administration;
- Charles Romine, associate director for Laboratory Programs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
- Dale Bell, Deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Grants at the Department of Health and Human Services;
- Andrea Brandon, deputy assistant secretary for Budget, Finance, Grants and Acquisition at the Interior Department;
- Daniel Garcia-Diaz, managing director for Financial Markets and Community Investment at the Government Accountability Office;
- Steve Krauss, senior advisor for Human Resources Quality Services Management Office and Human Resources Line of Business Office at the Office of Personnel Management;
- Simon Liu, administrator of Agricultural Research Service at the Agriculture Department; and
- Victoria Wassmer, chief financial officer/assistant secretary in the Office of Budget and Programs at the Transportation Department.
