Obama Likely to Speak to Senior Executives on Dec. 15

President Obama is expected to speak to members of the Senior Executive Service and other top leaders next Tuesday, updating them on efforts to reform the government’s elite cadre of career officials and honoring the best among them.

The Dec. 15 address, billed by the White House as “Unlocking the Full Potential of America’s Federal Workforce,” is on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the invite obtained by Government Executive. The speech is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Although the invitation does not say explicitly that Obama will speak to the group, he did so last December at a Washington hotel in a similar address, discussing a series of initiatives aimed at reforming, improving and rewarding the SES. In addition to an update from “senior administration officials” on attracting top talent to federal service, the event will honor the 2015 President’s Customer Service Award winners and Presidential Rank Award recipients, and recognize the White House Leadership Development Fellows.

The White House created an SES reform advisory panel that submitted its recommendations earlier this year; in late November, The Washington Post first reported on a draft executive order circulating that included a small pay raise for SESers as well as more rotational assignments. Federal News Radio reported on Thursday that Obama is expected to sign the executive order next week.

The Office of Management and Budget did not respond to a request for comment.