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When Government Executive launched its Hall of Fame, it aimed to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the federal government and the American populace. Little did they know how essential this recognition would become. Inductees are selected for their unwavering commitment and excellence in public service. Since its inception in 2019, the Hall has welcomed a notable array of individuals, from Frederick Douglass to David Chu, who have all left enduring legacies.
This year’s honorees have profoundly influenced government operations, instigated meaningful reforms, and motivated future leaders. Their achievements will be celebrated at the “Evening of Honors” planned for April 3 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. Additionally, the annual Fed 100 winners will also be celebrated during this event.
Here is the list of individuals being inducted into the Government Hall of Fame Class of 2025:
Gene L. Dodaro
Gene Dodaro’s public service journey commenced in 1973 when he took his first role as an entry-level auditor at the General Accounting Office. Today, he stands as the eighth comptroller general of the United States and the first career civil servant to do so, overseeing what is now called the Government Accountability Office (GAO). His leadership is characterized by a commitment to nonpartisan oversight of government programs and fiscal management.
Throughout his career, Dodaro has significantly broadened GAO’s responsibilities beyond mere financial audits, focusing on the efficacy of government initiatives. His tenure saw the implementation of the GAO’s High-Risk List, which has been instrumental in bringing critical issues to congressional attention, leading to improvements across various federal agencies. Since 2002, his principled oversight has yielded over $1.38 trillion in monetary benefits, reflecting a remarkable return of approximately $133 for every dollar spent on GAO operations.
Dodaro has championed innovative auditing methodologies, providing Congress with timely insights into crucial topics like the global financial crisis, funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, and disaster relief efforts. He has been a driving force behind the establishment of GAO’s Center for Enhanced Cybersecurity and Innovation Lab, enhancing the agency’s capability to tackle emergent scientific and technological challenges. His initiatives have not only bolstered federal oversight but have set benchmarks in auditing practices globally.
More than just a technical expert, Dodaro has fostered a workplace culture at GAO that emphasizes the importance of valuing employees. His focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion has led GAO to be recognized consistently as a leading mid-size federal agency in various workplace rankings, boasting an impressive employee retention rate of 96%. His developmental leadership approach highlights the critical role that people play in the organization’s success.
Dodaro’s relentless pursuit of accountability and effective governance continues to shape the landscape of federal administration, impacting policymaking and bolstering public confidence in government institutions.
Ann Veneman
Ann Veneman is celebrated for her significant contributions to federal service, notably as the first woman to assume the role of Secretary of Agriculture. Appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001, she guided the Agriculture Department through a transformative era, embracing modernization initiatives, expanding international trade avenues, bolstering food safety protocols, and enhancing nutritional assistance programs. Under her stewardship, the department advanced various conservation and rural development policies aimed at benefiting U.S. farmers and consumers alike.
Before her historic appointment at USDA, Veneman served in several key roles within the department, including deputy secretary of Agriculture under President George H.W. Bush, where she was instrumental in advancing agricultural trade agreements and expanding the market for U.S. exports. Her influential work in negotiating trade policies helped elevate American agriculture on the global stage. Earlier, as the USDA’s associate administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, she worked to foster international cooperation and improve economic opportunities for American farmers.
Veneman’s governance journey also included her role as California’s Secretary of Food and Agriculture, during which she focused on strengthening the state’s agricultural sector while promoting environmental sustainability. Her comprehensive grasp of state and federal agricultural policies positioned her as a pivotal figure in shaping strategies for national food security and trade. Known for her pragmatic approach, she cultivated bipartisan support for vital agricultural initiatives throughout her tenure.
Her leadership at USDA inevitably addressed public health and food security issues, notably by expanding nutrition assistance programs and implementing science-driven food safety protocols. Her advocacy for policies aimed at enhancing access to nutritious food for low-income families and her proactive response to outbreaks of livestock diseases exemplified her commitment to science-based decision-making and effective crisis management.
Through her decades-long service in both federal and state capacities, Ann Veneman’s legacy embodies a steadfast dedication to American agriculture, trade policies, and food governance, leaving a lasting impact on rural economies, agricultural practices, and consumer welfare nationwide.
PREVIOUS INDUCTEES
The 2025 class of inductees joins an esteemed list of individuals who have previously entered the Government Hall of Fame:
Madeleine Albright
Thad Allen
Apollo 11 Astronauts: Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins
Clara Barton
Hubert T. Bell
Marry Frances Berry
Mary McLeod Bethune
Lonnie Bunch III
Ralph Bunche
George H.W. Bush
Rachel Carson
David Chu
Francis Collins
David O. “Doc” Cooke
Ada Deer
Frederick Douglass
Tammy Duckworth
Elizabeth Duke
Ann E. Dunwoody
Anthony Fauci
Barbara Hackman Franklin
Carla Hayden
Robert Gates
John Glenn
Virginia Hall
Alexander Hamilton
Patricia Roberts Harris
Oveta Culp Hobby
Walter Hollis
Grace Hopper
Dwight Ink
Shirley Ann Jackson
Howard Jenkins Jr.
Katherine Johnson
Frank Kameny
John Koskinen
John Lewis
Charles Lyman
Thurgood Marshall
Charles McGee
Norman Mineta
Patsy Mink
Constance Berry Newman
Sean O’Keefe
Ellen Ochoa
Douglas Owsley
Ely S. Parker
Frances Perkins
Colin Powell
Condoleezza Rice
Elliot Richardson
Alice Rivlin
Gregory L. Robinson
Theodore Roosevelt
Donna Shalala
Susan Solomon
Elmer Staats
Kathryn D. Sullivan
Linda Thomas-Greenfield
Harriet Tubman
Paul Volcker
James Webb
James Lee Witt
Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsop
SELECTION COMMITTEE
This year’s inductees were selected by a distinguished panel comprising former federal officials and experts in government management, including:
Tanya Ballard Brown, executive editor, Government Executive
James-Christian Blockwood, president and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration
Jason Briefel, partner at Shaw, Bransford & Roth, and director of policy and outreach for the Senior Executives Association
Calvin Byrd, former senior advisor for physical security at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Teresa Gerton, former president and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration
Tom Shoop, former editor at large, Government Executive
Robert Tobias, former president of the National Treasury Employees Union and distinguished practitioner in residence at American University
Source
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