COG 2012 President D.C. Mayor Vince Gray and U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry

WASHINGTON, DC – The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) honored the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) with its Regional Partnership Award during its Annual Membership and Awards Luncheon. 

Over the past two years, OPM has been a key participant on a special COG committee of elected officials, emergency and transportation managers, public information officers and others to improve incident management and response. The group was formed following the January 2011 snow and ice storm that triggered widespread traffic gridlock and power outages throughout the region. 

Based on recommendations from the COG committee, OPM Director John Berry updated OPM employee release policies and procedures last December. COG officials also noted OPM’s ongoing partnership on regional conference calls related to Hurricane Sandy this October. 

In advance of Hurricane Sandy, “Director Berry and OPM listened to weather forecasts and reports from subject matter experts and made a decision to close the federal government twice by 6pm in the evening for the following workday,” said D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, who presented Berry with the award. “By sharing these timely decisions with area officials on the call, OPM is helping speed regional coordination and decision-making.” 

Every year, COG gives the Regional Partnership Award to organizations or individuals who have worked with COG to improve the quality of life for area residents.