Comings and Goings

A regular feature of GovExec.com, Comings and Goings announces the arrivals and departures of top federal managers and executives. To submit an announcement, e-mail it to webmaster@govexec.com or fax it to 202-739-8511.

C O M I N G S

Togo West was confirmed as Veterans Affairs Secretary Tuesday night by voice vote in the Senate. The former Army Secretary has held the VA post on an acting basis since Jan. 2.

Stan Z. Soloway was recently appointed as the Defense Department's point man on acquisition reform. Soloway, who left the Contract Services Association of America to take the job as deputy under secretary of Defense for acquisition reform, is now responsible for overseeing the Pentagon's massive effort to change the way it does business. Donna Richbourg, who was acting in the top procurement reform position, will now serve under Soloway as principal assistant deputy.

President Clinton has nominated Maj. Gen. Robert F. Raggio to head up the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Raggio, who now oversees acquisition activities for the F-22 Raptor, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15 Eagle, B-2 Spirit and B-1B Lancer at the Pentagon, would become a lieutenant general with the promotion. Raggio will replace Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Eickmann, who is retiring in June. Brig. Gen. David A. Herrelko has been picked for the Aeronautical Systems Center's number two spot. The present vice commander, Brig. Gen. Robert P. Bongiovi, will become director of requirements for the Air Force Material Command, which is headquartered at Wright-Patterson.

The Energy Department's Western Area Power Administration, which markets and transmits hydroelectric power in 15 Western states, has a new chief: Michael S. Hacskaylo. Hacskaylo has been the administration's general counsel since August 1985. He replaces J.M. Shafer, who is retiring.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that an anonymous administration source said that Social Security Administration Inspector General David Williams will be President Clinton's appointee for the IG position at the Treasury Department, which was vacated last month by Valerie Lau, who faced charges of misconduct from congressional Republicans and the General Accounting Office.

G O I N G S

Jeffrey Davidow, assistant secretary of State for inter-American affairs, may be headed to Mexico City to fill the long-empty ambassadorship. Davidow is President Clinton's second choice for Mexico after Massachusetts Gov. William Weld's nomination was blocked by Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C. Davidow is a 29-year foreign service veteran. Clinton this week also announced two other career foreign service members for ambassadorships: Michael C. Lemmon, who until recently was deputy assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, to represent the U.S. in Armenia; and Rudolf Vilem Perina, who served as senior deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Canadian Affairs, to be Washington's voice in Moldova.

Presidential advisor Mack McLarty is leaving the White House, President Clinton announced last week. During his tenure at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, McLarty has been Clinton's chief of staff, counselor and special envoy to Latin America. McLarty is leaving to spend more time with his family, Clinton said.

K U D O S

Cape Hatteras National Seashore park ranger Mike Anderson was awarded the National Park Foundation's Ranger of the Year Award at a White House ceremony last week. Anderson, a 19-year Park Service employee, has worked to improve the seashore's relationships with the surrounding communities over the last five years. In 1990, Anderson won the Departmental Award for Valor for rescuing five drowning people from a dangerous ocean current.