James Clapper seemed singularly happy as the keynote speaker for the annual Senior Executive Association’s Banquet honoring Presidential Rank Award winners, perhaps even bubbly.
One presumed reason for the Director of National Intelligence’s effervesce was his acknowledgment that his tenure would be coming to a close on Jan. 20, 2017.
“I’m in a pretty chipper mood tonight because today was my ninth and last [congressional] hearing,” he said, garnering emphatic applause.
He The Defense Intelligence Agency chief highlighted the service of 43 Presidential Rank Award winners recognized for their service and innovations, which saved a collective $121 billion in federal funding.
Related: Read the winners
Clapper took to his role as the night’s entertainer with ease, regaling the crowd with tales of how his career as the nation’s top spy had its roots in hacking his grandparent’s TV to monitor Philadelphia police radio transmissions and gleefully noting that he only had 274 days in his tenure left, in reference to the Jan. 20 presidential transition next year.
But his marked appreciation for the agency leadership gathered at the State Department on April 21 bore no levity has Clapper described the history of the Senior Executive Service and the integral role its members play.
“We all come into the service at different places and for different reasons,” he said. “We all have the tendency to get in our own cloister. I certainly do in intelligence, but when you listen to the breadth and scope of accomplishment represented in this room, it is eye-watering.”
The 43 winners include run the gamut of innovators from the Department of Defense, to the National Science Foundation and NASA, representing success in the executive service that began with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.
The association’s banquet marked its 30th year at a time when the SES has seen a wealth of political scrutiny, but also a new slate presidential reform meant to provide new incentives for recruitment and retaining of leadership talent.
“This evening has provided not only the recognition so richly deserved and so seldom received by the distinguished executives, but is also an occasion in which we all renew our pride in the executive service and thank the families whose support makes possible their accomplishments,” Bonosaro said.
Clapper said the award winners were also, like him, drawn to the merits of public service, a calling often overlooked but all the more integral.
“All of the personal conduct and results-oriented leadership all of our federal workforce are seeing represented by the leaders here tonight, have earned and kept the high degree of public confidence and trust, despite a lot of hits we have all taken in recent years,” he said.
“You’ve demonstrated success in balancing the needs and perspectives of customers, stakeholders and employees with organizational results. In reaching the pinnacle of achievement, the Rank Award recipients will also have demonstrated strong leadership abilities, inspired employees and earned the respect of those they serve, the taxpayers. “
