Senior Executives Association Names New Interim President

The Senior Executives Association has tapped its legislative director to serve as interim president.

Jason Briefel is taking over for Tim Dirks, who stepped down for “personal reasons,” according to an SEA press release. The personnel move is the latest reshuffling at the group that advocates for the federal government’s senior executives. Dirks had served as interim president for the last few months after longtime leader Carol Bonosaro retired in November and became president emeritus.

Briefel, who joined law firm Shaw Bransford & Roth in 2012 as a senior policy adviser in its government affairs shop before becoming legislative director, will serve as SEA interim president while the board searches for permanent leadership. “His consistent presence and representation on behalf of SEA has ensured the organization a place of leadership within the Public Employees Roundtable, Government Managers Coalition, Federal-Postal Coalition, Government Performance Coalition, Transitions in Governance 2016, and other key spaces for policy advocacy,” said the SEA press release.

An important part of Briefel’s portfolio has been making the case for senior executives on many issues to lawmakers. “Senior executives are facing a myriad of attacks from Capitol Hill, in addition to major initiatives from the administration and an upcoming presidential transition,” Briefel said. “I look forward to providing consistent engagement and assisting the organization in any way I can.”