May 9, 2001

By Rebecca Walker, NAVAIR Public Affairs, Headquarters

Susan Keen, chief information officer and deputy assistant commander for Corporate Operations for the Naval Air Systems Command Patuxent River, was recognized for her selection as a Senior Executive Service (SES) member at a recent "pinning of the ranks" ceremony.

"I appreciate you all being a part of this special day," Keen said to the packed room full of friends, co-workers and family members. "Without you all, I wouldn't be standing here today."

Vice Adm. Joe Dyer, NAVAIR commander, served as the guest speaker and presented Keen, who was appointed to the SES in December, with the SES plaque signed by the Secretary of the Navy.

"Your recognition is well deserved, and we're here to recognize your promotion," Dyer said.

Dyer went on to describe Keen's important presence at NAVAIR.

"I read the other day that someone called their chief information officer, (CIO), their chief inspiration officer," Dyer said. "Looking at your contribution to NAVAIR, I think you qualify to be called the chief inspiration officer."

Before gaining SES membership, Keen's executive qualifications were certified by an independent Qualifications Review Board (QRB). The QRB review and certification is the last critical step in the SES selection process, according to the SES section on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Web site, found at: http://www.opm.gov. QRBs determine whether the candidate has the requisite executive qualifications for entry into the SES.

SES includes most managerial, supervisory, and policy positions classified above general schedule grade 15 or equivalent positions in the executive branch of the federal government, according to the OPM Web site.

"I want to thank NAVAIR leadership for having the confidence in me to step into this position," Keen said. "It is a profound privilege on my part to be a part of the community."

Keen is the strategist for leveraging information technologies in support of command strategies across the NAVAIR TEAM. Her leadership has resulted in a true enterprisewide information technology capability for the command. Keen is also a graduate of NAVAIR's Senior Executive Management Development Program. Her contributions to the Navy have been recognized twice with Meritorious Civilian Service Awards.

All SES vacancies are advertised on OPM's Web site: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov. From this site, users can download announcements for vacancies of interest. For further information about the SES program, contact Diane Spittle at 301-757-7844.