Comings and Goings: Top GAO official moves on

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

James F. Hinchman is leaving his number two position in the General Accounting Office. Hinchman will join the National Research Council as executive director for strategic planning at the end of May. The NRC is a part of the National Academy of Sciences. Hinchman served as acting comptroller general at GAO from 1996 until the appointment of David M. Walker late last year.

CIA covert operations head Jack G. Downing is moving on in July. As associate deputy director for operations, Downing oversees espionage operations worldwide. He first attempted to retire in 1997, but was talked out of it by CIA Director George Tenet. Downing will be replaced by his deputy, James L. Pavitt.

Deputy Postmaster General Michael S. Coughlin has announced he is leaving the Postal Service after 32 years of service. Coughlin has been deputy postmaster general position for twelve years. His official retirement date is July 2.

The Agriculture Department has named Thomas Grau undersecretary for farm and foreign agricultural services. Grau previously served as the state executive director of the USDA's Farm Service Agency in Iowa. Prior to joining FSA, Grau worked on his corn and soybean farm in Iowa.

Michelle Manatt has left the State Department, where she served for five years as a senior policy advisor in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. At the State Department, Manatt organized a joint conference between the U.S. government and the Inter-American Development Bank that explored the role of women as leaders of democracy in the Americas. Manatt has joined the Office of National Drug Control Policy as director of legislative affairs.

Calvin Byrd is leaving the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a position with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Byrd, a senior program analyst in FEMA's Office of Policy and Regional Operations, will be the new chief of NRC's Physical Security Branch. Byrd will be responsible for the protection of NRC property, personnel and information at headquarters and at other facilities.

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt recently announced the appointment of Walt Rosenbusch as director of the Minerals Management Service. He succeeds Cynthia Quarterman, who resigned in February. Rosenbusch worked at Interior from 1993 to 1996, but most recently has been senior tax manager of Ernst & Young's Houston Energy Service Team.