WASHINGTON— Today, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator, Dan Tangherlini, announced he will be leaving the agency next month:
“In April 2012, Dan Tangherlini took over as Acting Administrator of the General Services Administration at a time when scandal and egregiously reckless spending at the agency had shaken the trust of Congress and American taxpayers alike. But when Dan Tangherlini assumed leadership, he understood that the moment of crisis afforded an opportunity to make the General Services Administration a better agency.
“During his time as Acting Administrator and later in his years as Senate-confirmed Administrator, Dan’s leadership and knack for finding ways to make government work smarter and better steered an impressive turnaround for the agency. In just a few years, he helped reduce the federal government’s real estate footprint, implemented measures to save money in federal contracting, and expanded the agency’s ability to offer innovative information technology solutions. He also kept the Department of Homeland Security headquarters consolidation project at St. Elizabeths on track despite budget uncertainty due to Congress while looking for ways to generate additional savings as the project moves forward. In fact, the approach he takes to his work and the results that work has generated have rightfully earned him the reputation across the federal government as ‘Mr. Fix-It.’
“Dan believes the American people deserve excellence from their government, and he knows that good management is a needed foundation for that excellence. I thank Dan for his service and unwavering dedication to the General Services Administration, the federal government, and the American people. He truly represents the gold standard of public service.
“While I am sad to see him leave his post, I know he will bring the same vigor and commitment that he brought to the agency to his future work. I wish him and his family only the best in his ventures to come. Dan certainly leaves big shoes to fill. The General Services Administration occupies a critical role in our federal government – one that oversees the purchase of goods and services, management of property, and overall good business practices for all federal agencies. Thus, it is essential that this agency is provided with a permanent leader who can build on Dan’s efforts and continue to lead the agency on the right path forward. I urge the President to nominate a new Administrator as soon as possible.”