The CHCOs Start Arriving

The new class, that is. This is the first presidential transition that Chief Human Capital Officers have gone through, and so far the jobs left open when political appointees departed haven't filled up super-quickly. But Janet Napolitano appointed a CHCO for the Department of Homeland Security today, tapping Jeff Neal, who formerly held the same position at the Defense Logistics Agency, and served as deputy human resources director at the Commerce Department. Napolitano's announcement doesn't suggest a major change in the direction of the department's human resources strategy. Like everyone else:

"Neal will focus on retaining and developing the Department's current highly-skilled workforce and ensuring that DHS is able to recruit the additional talent necessary to achieve its mission. He will work to enhance diversity at DHS to reflect the composition of the nation and build department-wide capabilities and systems to provide the best training, education and professional development opportunities."

But even if the priorities aren't dramatically changed, at least Napolitano's put someone in place to pursue them.