Extraordinary senior executives receive presidential rank award

Updated at 9 a.m. on Nov. 27 with the names of the winners 

Casey Swai, a deputy associate administrator at NASA, who helped launch the James Webb telescope — ”the world’s premier space science observatory,” which in 2022 captured the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe ever — was among the 236 employees from 30 federal agencies recently recognized as 2024 presidential rank award winners. 

The program, which was established in 1978, honors outstanding members of the senior executive service, senior-level and scientific and professional corps. 

“Each day, thousands of dedicated federal employees work tirelessly to address our nation's most urgent challenges and drive innovation that positively impacts millions of lives,” said Rob Shriver, the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management, in a statement. “The Presidential Rank Awards recognize those who demonstrate outstanding leadership, unwavering integrity and an enduring commitment to public service. Congratulations to this year’s honorees — your exceptional contributions make our government stronger and our communities safer, and your dedication is an inspiration to us all.” 

OPM announced the winners on Nov. 21. The agency administers the awards and recommends finalists to the president, who chooses the recipients. 

Other winners this year include:

• Kathleen Hogan, principal deputy under secretary at the Energy Department, who established the Office of the Under Secretary for Infrastructure to distribute billions in infrastructure funding.
• Peter Romero Flores, acting deputy commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, who led an operation to combat the fentanyl epidemic.
• Neil Evans, chief officer for the Veterans Health Administration's Connected Care program, who used digital technologies to improve care for veterans and their caregivers. 

The PRAs come in two categories: the meritorious and distinguished rank award. 

The meritorious award honors “sustained accomplishment” and provides a cash award of 20% of the recipient’s annual basic pay. No more than 5% of career SES or SL/ST members are able to receive the award, according to program rules. 

Likewise, the distinguished award recognizes “sustained extraordinary accomplishment,” and winners receive a cash award that is 35% of their annual basic pay. That award is limited to 1% of the SES or SL/ST. 

Marcus Hill, the president of the Senior Executives Association, urged the presidential administration and federal agencies to tell the stories of this year’s presidential rank awardees and how they have delivered for the American people. 

“During an era when the merit-based civil service system and career servants continue to experience intense scrutiny, SEA believes the hard work, dedication, patriotism and excellence of these public servants must be recognized, appreciated and celebrated,” he said in a statement. 

President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming border czar, Tom Homan, received the PRA in 2015 when he headed enforcement and removal operations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Nominations for the fiscal 2025 PRAs are due by Jan. 10, 2025.