COMMISSION MEMBERS. The new President's Commission on the U.S. Postal Service has an impressive lineup, PMG Jack Potter said. "Given the qualifications of those who have been selected to serve, it is obvious that great care and attention were given to the selection process. Individually and collectively, the members will bring a valuable new perspective to the challenging and complex issue of postal reform."

The commission is co-chaired by Harry Pearce and James Johnson. Pearce is chairman of the board at Hughes Electronics, while Johnson is chairman of the board at the Brookings Institution and former CEO of Fannie Mae. Other members include Richard Levin, president, Yale University; Dionel Aviles, president, Aviles Engineering; Don Cogman, chairman, CC Investments; Carolyn Gallagher, former CEO, Texwood Furniture; Norman Seabrook, president, New York City Correction Officers' Benevolent Association; Robert Walker, CEO, Wexler Group; and Joseph Wright, CEO, PanAmSat.

GOVERNOR ACCEPTS NEW POST. The USPS is losing a member of its Board of Governors, but its loss is the state of Alaska's gain. Ernesta Ballard, a member of the Board since 1997 and most recently chair of its Finance and Audit Committee, is leaving to become the commissioner of Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation. She was a regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency under President Reagan, and is a conservation consultant who also serves on the board of the Alaska Forest Association. USPS Board Chairman Robert Rider and PMG Jack Potter praised Ballard at last week's Board meeting. The Associated Press quotes Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski saying this about Ballard: "She's going to bring, I think, a new period of cooperation between the state and the Environmental Protection Agency."

ANOTHER AWARD. The Government Video Star Award went to USPS in the news/information category for the educational video, "Section 508 and the Postal Service." The award was presented Dec. 4 in Washington, DC. Public Affairs & Communications produced the video with Information Technology to increase understanding of Section 508 accessibility requirements and compliance. This video is now setting the standard in government for addressing compliance with Section 508.

"We take universal service very seriously," said USPS Information Technology VP Robert Otto. "And universal service means access — for everyone. Educating our employees and building the infrastructure necessary to support Section 508, helps us make sure that our electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities. It is the right thing to do."