In announcing the selection even before the Inauguration, Trump acted more quickly than usual to fill the position. Image: DCStockPhotography/Shutterstock.com
President-elect Trump has said he will nominate for OPM director Scott Kupor, currently managing partner of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and former chairman of the National Venture Capital Association.
“Scott will bring much needed reform to our federal workforce,” Trump said in announcing the choice of Kupor, who also has held other executive positions in the private sector.
The Partnership for Public Service called Kupor “someone who can bring his extensive private sector experience and business acumen to help make our federal government more effective and to create a more strategic, modernized talent management system. We look forward to working with Mr. Kupor and encourage him to partner with the career OPM workforce and key stakeholders to best achieve these goals.”
In announcing the selection even before the Inauguration, Trump acted more quickly than usual to fill the position. Other Presidents typically have not made a nomination until several months into their terms; during his first term, OPM did not make a nomination for the position until September.
Unlike Kupor, both of Trump’s confirmed OPM directors in his first term had extensive experience in federal HR matters. The first, Jeff Tien Han Pon, had held senior human resources positions inside and outside of government, and the second Dale Cabaniss, had been a member and chair of the FLRA.
However, both served only about six months before resigning/being forced out over their reluctance to back the White House’s proposal to break up OPM and shift its policy roles to OMB and its operational roles to the GSA. Otherwise, the position was filled on an acting basis by OPM or OMB officials.
There has been no indication whether the second Trump administration will resume pursuing that initiative.
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