Halliburton exec is new USPS CIO
Press release:
Postmaster General Jack Potter announced two new officer selections today. Ross Philo (left) was named Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) and George Wright was named Vice President, Information Technology Operations.
“The long-term success of the Postal Service as we work to grow our business in an extremely competitive marketplace is inextricably linked to the strategic application of state-of-the-art information systems at every level and across every function of the organization, “ said Potter. “Ross and George offer the experience, leadership and shared vision that will help us to achieve these critical goals.”
Philo joins the Postal Service after more than 30 years experience with large, complex, multinational corporations such as Cisco Systems and Schlumberger, where he was responsible for the development, implementation and management of extremely complex information systems. “Ross is an internationally recognized and respected information systems expert,” said Potter. “His work in systems integration and alignment among business units contributed to their leading market positions.”
Most recently, Philo served as Senior Vice President and CIO of Halliburton and subsequently as Chief Executive Officer of Visean, a global, oil-field services start-up company. He is a graduate of London’s Imperial College of Science and Technology where he earned First-Class honors. Philo will report directly to PMG Potter. “As a member of the Executive Committee, Philo will play a significant role in the development of growth, service and administrative initiatives by assuring that their planning and development are fully linked from inception with the appropriate technology strategy,” said Potter.
Wright is a 25-year USPS employee who has served as manager of Enterprise Architecture and Standards as well as Finance and Administration Systems. He has a Master’s degree in business administration from Maryland University. Wright has served as Acting Vice President, Chief Technology Officer since October 2007 and will report to Philo in his new assignment. “George has gained a valuable familiarity with the information systems and technology that support our operational, financial and administrative functions,” said Potter. “He is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of our vast information-technology infrastructure.
“Please join me in offering your full support to Ross and George as we welcome them to their new assignments.”
PRC orders Postal Service to answer complaint on Bound Printed Matter
On January 3 of this year, postal activist Douglas Carlson filed a complaint alleging that the USPS had improperly stopped offering Bound Printed Matter rate to retail customers. On February 4, the Postal Service filed a motion requesting that the PRC suspend action on the complaint, saying that it was preparing “classification changes intended to resolve the substance of the instant Complaint”. If the changes were to be approved by the Board of Governors, the USPS would then “file a further pleading in this docket explaining how the action resolves this Complaint”. If that arrangement wasn’t acceptable to the PRC, the USPS requested an additional two months to prepare a statement on the Carlson complaint.
Yesterday the PRC denied the USPS motion, pointing out that under the law, the Commission must either dismiss or take action on complaints within 90 days. Since that time period will expire on April 2, the USPS’s suggested deadline of April 4 for its statement on the complaint was not acceptable. The PRC denied the USPS motion, and ordered it to issue a statement on the complaint no later than March 7.
USPS certifies line of reusable envelopes
ecoEnvelopes ( www.ecoEnvelopes.com ), the developers of innovative reusable envelopes designed to conserve natural resources and reduce costs, have received a key National Customer Ruling from the US Postal Service (USPS). It is the first time USPS has issued such a certification for a line of reusable envelopes and solidifies ecoEnvelopes’ position as a leader in a bold new effort to green the US mail.
The USPS National Customer Ruling is issued after an official testing and approval process. The ruling provides customers with increased confidence that ecoEnvelopes’ unique designs meet the most stringent qualifications for use in the US mail. In 2007, USPS worked closely with ecoEnvelopes in changing the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), paving the way for breakthrough mail solutions of this kind.
By eliminating the need for reply envelopes, ecoEnvelopes helps businesses and organizations meet their social, environmental and marketing objectives. “Using one envelope is simply more efficient and less wasteful than two, and you send the right message with a reusable envelope,” said founder and CEO Ann DeLaVergne, a former organic farmer and beekeeper who created the first ecoEnvelopes by hand in her kitchen as a way to reduce waste. More than 80 billion reply envelopes are sent through the US mail each year.
Eliminating return envelopes saves energy, water, and forest resources and reduces the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Every one million ecoEnvelopes used saves an estimated 250 million BTUs of energy and 37,000 pounds of greenhouse gasses. All ecoEnvelopes are manufactured on certified papers from managed forests using up to 100% recycled content.
“Beyond the environmental benefits, the value proposition is simple,” says DeLaVergne. Bulk mailers such as utilities, credit card companies, and direct marketers can reduce manufacturing, printing, shipping and insertion costs by using one envelope instead of two. ecoEnvelopes are designed for use with existing high-speed insertion and postal processing equipment.
Customers can realize mail savings between 15% to 45% and increased response rates for direct mail of up to 8%. “It’s important for us to practice what we preach,” stated Ruth Patton, Director of Communications for Fresh Energy, a leading advocate of new, innovative energy solutions. “Using ecoEnvelopes for our mailings helps us maintain our integrity. Our members love that we’re producing less waste and using fewer resources. Response rate is at an all-time high,” she continued.
“The Postal Service understands our vision and we are grateful for their support,” said DeLaVergne. “It’s simply an idea whose time has come. With ecoEnvelopes, we are proving that being more efficient, even with something as small as an envelope, can have a measurable impact on the environment,” she concluded.
Sculptural Mailbox
Photo: Mooresville, AL Post Office
“The Mooresville Post Office has been operating from the same building since 1840, the oldest continually operating post office building in the state of Alabama and one of the oldest in the country.”
Pushing the Mail Truck Stuck in the Snow
Sunset mail trucks
Seattle
Question for the U.S. Postal Service
Answer- probably not?
Photo: Delivering in the snow
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Connecticut contract cleaner admits stealing mail
The following information was released by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut:
Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RENEE GAUGH, 28, of Brooklyn, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to one count of theft of mail.
According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, GAUGH was employed by a contractor who performed custodial services at the Gales Ferry Post Office. In pleading guilty, GAUGH admitted that, from December 2006 to February 2007, she stole mail by removing letters and greeting cards from a mail collection hamper in the main work room of the Post Office. Specifically, on February 1, 2007, GAUGH stole an envelope that contained a $50.00 Best Buy gift card.
Judge Covello has scheduled sentencing for May 7, 2008, at which time GAUGH faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James G. Genco.