GSA #10105

August 26, 2004
Contact: Viki Reath (202) 501-1231
viki.reath@gsa.gov

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) today announced it has named Patricia Pierson, a procurement and management expert, to direct the Information Technology (IT) Acquisition Center in GSA’s Federal Supply Service (FSS).

Pierson has guided IT Acquisition Center reorganization plans since January 2004. The reorganization is designed to improve effectiveness and efficiency, while providing greater value to taxpayers.

In 1996, Pierson’s management skills won plaudits for the FSS, Auburn, Wash., Paints and Chemicals Center, which supports U.S. troops around the world. The center won a White House Closing the Circle Award for its expertise in handling environmental initiatives and hazardous materials.

Two years later, Pierson transformed the Auburn product sales center into a complex, professional services contract center, offering environmental, translation, business management and improvement services. Under Pierson’s leadership, the center met its $1 billion annual business volume goal in two years.

In late 2000, Pierson was named FSS Director of Business Support in the Office of Enterprise Planning. She served in that capacity until Aug. 10, when she was named IT Acquisition Center Director.  Pierson expects the center to provide federal customers around the world with nearly $20 billion a year in IT products and services.

She replaces GSA Meritorious Service Award winner Roy Chisholm, who became the first IT Acquisition Center director in 1995.  Recently, Chisholm announced his intention to retire, but has agreed to stay on as long as is necessary to ensure a smooth transition. Under his tutelage, IT Center business volume grew to $17 billion in nine years, up from $1.6 billion.

Chisholm’s successful federal career spans 47 years. In 1961, he joined GSA as a contract specialist in the FSS Furniture Center. Chisholm has agreed to help ensure a smooth transition.

GSA, a centralized federal procurement and property management agency with 13,000 associates, was created by Congress to help agencies improve efficiency and better serve the public. On behalf of federal agencies, GSA acquires office space, equipment, telecommunications, information technology, supplies and services for more than one million federal workers in more than 8,000 buildings in 2,000 U.S. communities.