PR 26-0738

MURIEL BOWSER
    MAYOR
June 2, 2026
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council ofthe District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2ofthe Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 601 of the District ofthe Columbia
Government Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2- 139,
D.C. Official Code § 1-606.01), I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
                                     Mr. Philip A. McNamara
                                       Ilinois Avenue, NW
                                      Washington, DC 20011
                                             (Ward 4)
for appointment as a memberofthe Office of Employee Appeals, filling a vacant seat formerly held
by Dionna Lewis,for the remainder
                                ofan unexpiredterm toendApril    6, 2031.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailingtheexperienceof the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council's earliest considerationofthis nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor's Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bkwser
Mayor
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                                                                         at the request of the Mayor
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 6  A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
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10  IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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15   To confirm the appointment of Philip A. McNamara to the Office of Employee Appeals.
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17  RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTIUCT OF COLUMBIA, That this
18   resolution may be cited as the ''Office of Employee Appeals Philip A. McNamara Confirmation
19   Resolution of 2026".
20  Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
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22  Philip A. McNamara
23  Illinois Avenue, NW
24  Washington, DC 20011
25  (Ward 4)
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27   as a member of the Office of Employee Appeals, established by section 601 of the District of
28   Columbia Government Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979
29   (D.C. Law 2-139; D.C. Official Code§ l-606.01), replacing Dionna Lewis, for the remainder of
30   an unexpired term to end April 6, 2031.
31  Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
32   upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Mayor.
33  Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
                                              Philip A. McNamara
      (EEL
Proven forward-thinking Chief People / Human Resources Executive and quick-thinking problem solver who
thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, bring sound judgment, faimess, and integrity to complex labor
‘and personnel matters and seamlessly manages complex, large-scale, and often decentralized operations.
Collaborative executive who builds, directs and motivates cohesive, high-performing teams that exceed
objectives and priorities.
Key differentiator: 26+ years experiencing navigating the Washington, DC landscape in high-pressure roles;
unmatched knowledge of federal, state and local governments, and legislative processes; robust network of
strategic relationships in industry, government and politics (both parties) in DC, and states and cities across the
county; reputation as a thought partner / advisor and a results-oriented “doer” advising C-suite officials.
Select accomplishments:
+ Results Driven: Chief People Officer leading all workforce development strategies of DOT. In FY24, saw the hiring of more
  than 5.000 new employees, the largest number in prior 10 yeors and the second year in a row that new hires outpaced
  separations. Grew the DOT workforce by neatly 7 percent fo the highest employee on-board in agency kistory (from 53K
  employees in 2021 to 57K employees in 2025}.
+ Speatheaded Multistate Government Affairs Initiatives: Developed and executed nationwide government affoirs
  campaign, working with governors and state legislators fo improve the secutty of state drivers’ licenses required by a
  federal law passed by Congress (REAL ID Act). Over two years. grew compliance from 13 states 10 50 states (out of 56
  jurisdictions).
+ Optimized Operations: Secured $8 milion in funding to develop energy and water efficiencies and reduce carbon
  ‘emissions at DOT facilities: reduced greenhouse gas emissions for DOT focilies and operations by nearty six percent since
  2021; over 41% of the electricity consumed at DOT facililies snow carbon pollution-free reducing costs.
+ Innovated New Approaches: Formulated historic 2008 presidential primary and caucus calendar for the competitive
  ‘Obame-Ciinton race - required tremendous outreach across stakeholders fo secure buy-in of new approach, where
  Nevada and South Corolina joined lowa and New Hampshire as easy voting states.
                                Multidimensional Expertise that Ensures Success
    + Human Capital Leadership  + Tolent Management | High-Caler Teams
    ‘=     Employee Engagement / Internal Communications *  Complex Project Management | Process Optimization
    *      Policy Development Execution | Public Affairs       * — Strategic Partnership Development | Coalition Building
    = Lobbying|Legislative Campaigns | Advocacy  *   Operations Management | Organizational Leadership
    =      Strategic Planning | Implementation  *    Financial Planning | Budget Management
      Blending Strategy, Tactics and Operational Excellence to Advance Organizational
                         Objectives and Policy Interests from Day One
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)  2021 -2025
ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION| CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL (RESOURCES) OFFICER
Recruited by incoming presidential transition team to serve on day one of the new administration as a key
memberofthe seniorstaffof the incoming Transportation Secretary. Led a team of ~280 employees, including 10
senior executives, across DOT's core mission-support, management functions. Oversaw Department-wide human
resources of 57,000-employee agency, including labor relations and employee engagement. Provide leadership
in acquisition and procurement (~$9 bilion annually), and facilities management and security across 11,000
locations in all 50 states. Oversee budget & accounting services of $700 milion working capital fund and serve
€@s audit licison with the Inspector General and Government Accountability Office.
=        As Chief Human Capital (People) Officer responsible for selecting, developing, training, and managing a highly skilled
         workforce. Responsible for all aspects of agency's workforce strategy: talent acquisition & retention. employee
         engagement & culture, leadership development, performance management, succession planning, HR operations and
         systems, metrics & analytics, and collaboration with executive leadership on key hires. Directly lead a team of 100 HR
Philip A. McNamara  Page
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    specialists and experts, with dotted line oversight over 700 additional HR practioners enterprise-wide in decentralized sub-
    units.
"     Oversaw labor relations and workforce accountability across a $7,000-employee. unionized workforce, including
    employee discipiine, grievance processes, and compliance with merit system principles.
=   _Ensured due process, consistency. and fairness in personnel policies and actions, working closely with agency counsel,
    labor organizations, and oversight bodies.
*   Regularly evaluated complex personnel matters requiring objective analysis, discretion, and adherence to statute and
    regulation.
=   Regularly engaged with labor union organizations across Department as the senior management official, bargaining in
    {good faith as part of a “labor friendly” presidential administration. Agency has 19 labor union organizations with 27
    collective bargaining agreements,
*   Led development of new personnel policies on telework and remote work to position DOT as an employer of choice.
    Designed all future of work, post pandemic “retum to office” plans. Led all efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion in
    recruitment, retention and promotion. Responsible for all intemal employee communications and employee
    engagement effforts to foster a healthy workplace culture,
+   Oversaw the development and implementation of agency's Diversity. Equity, Inclusion and Accessibilty (DEIA) strategic
    pplan, with a focus on hiring 1,700new employees as a result of the Bipartisan infrastrucuture Law.
The Pew Charitable Trusts  2018-2021
DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Hiredtobring expert knowledge of and relationships with federal, state and local elected officials  togovernment
relations unit of a leading grantmaking philanthrophic organization. Led a team of eight in designing and
executing strategies to advance the goals of multiple Pew programs that seek to improve the goverment
performance on important challenges in fiscal and economic policy and public safety and justice issues.
Developed and executed the organization's $7.5 million advocacy budget.
    Used relationships at all levels of government to advance organization's advocacy goals and priorities acrossa range of
    policy areas including broadband access, consumer finance, retirement savings, higher education, federal-state budget
    issues, and evidence-based policymaking.
= Oversaw the design and implementation of legislative initatives, Including enacting federal policy reforms to help student
    loan borrowers with repayment, securing $25 milion in an annual Congressional appropriation for a criminal. justice
    reinvestment initiative, and state-level reforms to the smal-dollar loan marketplace to beter protect consumers.
= Developed and managed grant partnerships with third party extemal stakeholder organizations, including the National
    Governors Association the National Association of Counties, and the Council of State Chambers.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)  2009 - 2017
ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PARTNERSHIPS & ENGAGEMENT | INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS (2013-2017)
Tapped   to reinvigorate outreach and engagement  with critical externalpartnersthat had felt neglected by DHS,
and bring greater organization and structure to internalfunctionsthat lacked cohesion and focus. Designed and
delivered comprehensive goverment relations, public affairs and multistate advocacy strategies -building
coalitions and leveraging extensive network of industry, government and political connections in DC and across.
the country to achieve results. Strengthened partnerships between DHS and state/local governments, elected
officials, the private sector and other key stakeholders. Directed 50+ government affairs specialists.
= Bolstered the effectiveness of operations by consolidating DHS external affairs functions into a new “Office of Partnership
     ‘and Engagement” ~ an eight-month transition that increased stat threefold from 14 FTES to48FTEs) and funding fivefold
     {from a $2.5M budget fo a $13M budget). OPE remains in place today.
= Handpicked by DHS Secretary to spearhead a mojor government affairs plan around one of President Obama's key
     immigration        initiatives - within a year, through direct personal lobbying, convinced 21 of the largest 25 jurisdictions
     {cities/counties) that had once resisted to again partner with DHS.
* Developed and executed nationwide government affairs campaign, working with governors and state legislators to
      improve the security of state divers’ licenses required by a federal law passed by Congress (REAL ID Act). Over two years,
     grew compliance from 13 states to 50 states (out of 56 jurisdictions).
Philip A. McNamara  Page 3
  Achieved nationwide implementation of the high-profile, "if You See Something, Say Something” public affairs campaign
  that involved solidifying partnerships with airports, colleges and universities, entertainment venues, professional/collegiate
  sports leagues and the pubic.
= Interlaced with the White House, federal agencies and state/local partners during Hurricanes Sandy and Matthew, the
  Boston Marathon bombing, the San Bemardino and Orlando terrorist attacks, and other incidents.
DEPARTMENT CHIEF OF STAFF (2013-2014)
Handpicked by former “CEO” | Head of the Department of Homeland Security to serve as the Department's Chief
of Staff during a critical transition period (changing leadership) at the Department. Performed critical oversight of
fast-moving, day-to-day operations for the third largest department in the federal government with 240,000
employees in 75+ countries and 22 agencies. Advised Secretary on management, communications, policy, legal
and regulatory matters, as well as collaborated intemally across functions and with Congress, state/local
governments, private sector partners and foreign countries to advance agenda. Managed $608 budget, as well
as hired, developed and motivated 35-person staff.
= Successfully navigated organization through a critical seven-month CEO leadership transition from Secretary Janet
     Napolitano through Acting Secretary Rand Beers, to Secretary Jeh Johnson,
= Spearheaded DHS-wide implementation of the 1é-day2013 federal govemment shutdown and subsequent reopening-
     an effort requiring continuous communication with the White House and multiple intemal functions.
= Aided Jeh Johnson, after preparing him for his Senate confirmation, in prioritizing his activities and concentrating on ho
  button policy issues during his first seven weeks on the job.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION (2009
                                                    -2013)
With the arrival of a new administration came the need for new and improved enterprise-wide processes at the
department. Provided general management and budget oversight of $17.5M department, creating and
optimizing business operations, processes and culture to significantly enhance organizational efficiencies and
effectiveness. Worked across functions to property vet all CEO and COO communications and resolve critical
Policy issues. Acted as chief liaison between the department and the White House's National Security Council.
Led staff of 60.
= Orchestrated the enterprise-wide development of new business processes for managing written responses to Congress
    ‘and submitting witness statements before congressional hearings. Produced ~1,000 pieces of top-level communications
    from the Secretary to Congress and submitting 150+ witness testimonies.
* Created and led DHS-wide group that reviewed, evaluated and recommended technical. policy and legal issues to
    ‘ensure LGBT equality across DHS activities. Served as the DHS LGBT liaison, coordinating DHS policy with the White House
    and managing critical stakeholder relationships with extemal advocacy groups.
Democratic National Committee (DNC)  1998 - 2009
DIRECTOR OF PARTY AFFAIRS AND DELEGATE SELECTION (2002- 2009)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PARTY AFFAIRS AND DELEGATE SELECTION (1998 - 2002)
Challenged with ensuring that the presidential nominating process was fair, impartial and diverse, especially
during the high-stakes, hotly contested Obama-Clinton primary season in 2008. Advised five DNC Chairmen on
implementing the Democratic Party's rules and procedures for the DNC and the 2000, 2004 and 2008
Conventions. Interfaced extensively with members of Congress, state and local elected officials, organized labor,
State Party officials, media outlets and advocacy organizations to advance the nomination and election of
Democratic candidates in a fair and impartial manner.
* Formulated the historic 2008 presidential primary and caucus calendar for the ultra-tight Obama-Ciinton race - required
    tremendous outreach across diverse stakeholders to secure buy-in of a new approach, where Nevada and South
    Carolina joined lowa and New Hampshire as early voting states (continued in2012. 2016).
"= Championed development and adoption of the 2000, 2004 and 2008 national Party platforms. Facilitated day-long
    meetings with 200+ members who voted on and amended the platform.
 Philip A. McNamara  Page 4
                                      Public Service Experience
 Commissioner, DC Homeland Security Commission (2017-2022)
Appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser and confirmed by the DC Council. Served on a seven-member statutory
                         independent oversight, judgment, and recommendations on matters affecting public
 safety, intergovermental coordination, and operations of the DC Homeland Security and Emergency
 Management Agency. Demonstrated experience operating in independent, nonpartisan roles requiring
 discretion, impartial judgment, and adherence to statutory mandates.
                                                 Education
                                Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Journalism
                                           University of Massachusetts
                                             me
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                                             +
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         Executive Officeofthe Mayor ~ Mayor’s OfficeofTalent and Appointments
   John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
                                      Philip A. McNamara
                         Mr. Philip A. McNamara is a senior public-sector executive with more
                         than 26 years of experience in government leadership, workforce
                         management, labor relations, and institutional governance at the federal,
                         state, and local levels. He brings deep expertise in personnel management,
                         employee relations, and public administration, along with a demonstrated
                         reputation for impartiality, integrity, and soundjudgment.
                         Most recently, Mr. McNamara served as Assistant Secretary for
                         Administration and Chief Human Capital Officer at the U.S. Department
                         of Transportation, where he oversaw human resources, labor relations,
                         and workforce policy for a 57,000-employee organization. In that role, he
                         was responsible for employee discipline and accountability frameworks,
 collective bargaining engagement with 19 labor unions and 27 collective bargaining agreements,
 and ensuring consistency, faimess, and due process across personnel actions. He worked closely
 with agency counsel, labor organizations, and oversight bodies to resolve complex workforce
 matters in compliance with statute and regulation.
 Mr. McNamara has extensive experience operating in high-stakes, highly regulated environments
 requiring discretion, objective analysis, and adherence to established procedures. Throughout his
 career, he has been responsible for managing complex systems, maintaining institutional
 continuity, and balancing competing interests while upholding the integrity of decision-making
 processes.
 Previously, Mr. McNamara served in senior leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Homeland
 Security, including as Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs and as Department Chief
ofStaff. In those roles, he advised department leadership on management, policy, and operational
 matters, oversaw large multidisciplinary teams, and navigated complex organizational and
 workforce challenges during periodsoftransition and crisis.
 Mr. McNamara has alsodemonstrated a strong commitment to District service. From 2017to 2022,
 he served as a Commissioner on the District ofColumbia Homeland Security Commission, having
 been appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser and confirmed by the Council. In that capacity, he
 provided independent judgment and oversight on matters affecting District operations, public
 safety, and intergovernmental coordination.
‘A Ward  4 resident, Mr. McNamara earned his BachelorofArts in Political Science and Journalism
 from the University of Massachusetts.
                         GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
                            Executive Office ofMayor Muriel Bowser
                                               x    ke   ok
                                               WE ARE
                                               WASHINGTON
                                          all
 Officeofthe General Counsel to the Mayor
To:  Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
 From:  Betsy Cavendish
Date:  February 11, 2026
 Subject:        Legal sufficiency review ofa resolution appointing Philip A. McNamara as a
                 memberofthe Office of Employee Appeals
 This is to Certify that this oftice has reviewed the above-referenced resolution and
 found it to be legally unobjectionable.If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
 hesitate to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
 202-727-0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
‘TheJomn A. Wilton Bailing > 1350Pomaylvania Avenue,NW > Sune300 > Washingion,
                                                                           DC. 30004 > Otis (302) T24-7RT