Stephen Leeds has been named the new acting administrator at the General Services Administration while the agency waits for the Senate to vote on the long-delayed confirmation of administrator-nominee Martha Johnson.

The Obama administration announced Leeds' appointment on Dec. 22, and Leeds took office that day, said Sahar Wali, a GSA spokeswoman. Leeds replaces former acting administrator Paul Prouty, who had served in the interim position since Jan. 21.

Prouty wanted to return to his family in Colorado, Wali said. Prouty will return to the job he held before becoming acting administrator: Region 8 commissioner of the Public Buildings Service.

Wali praised Leeds' "impeccable experience" in federal building issues. Before being appointed to acting administrator, Leeds served as senior counselor to the administrator, where he led GSA's green efforts as the agency's senior sustainability officer.

Meanwhile, Johnson's confirmation remains on hold in the Senate. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., placed the hold while he pushes the agency to close down the Bannister Complex federal facility near Kansas City, Mo., and move the 1,200 employees there to leased space downtown. The space downtown is part of a planned revitalization of Kansas City's downtown.

GSA plans to keep federal employees working at the Bannister Complex while new office space is built downtown, which GSA said is more cost efficient.

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