FMA held its 84th Annual National Convention in Alexandria, Virginia, March 28-30, 2022. It was the first time since 2019 FMA members were able to gather together in-person for training, updates on legislative outreach, networking, awards, and conducting elections and other association business.

The event kicked off with an address from Office of Personnel Management Director Kiran Ahuja. She provided insights into the President’s Management Agenda and the priorities of the Administration regarding federal managers and the federal workforce writ large. Members had an opportunity to ask Director Ahuja questions directly following her remarks.

Members received training in multiple sessions, including Finding and Improving the Right Skills for Your People, by Steve Dobberowsky of the Training Officers Consortium, Maximizing Accountability in Performance, by Barbara H. Haga of Federal HR Services, Inc., and an informative session on simplifying and maximizing retirement benefits from Johnny Gottstein of FMA corporate sponsor GPIS.

FMA National President Craig Carter (Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Chapter 3) was re-elected as National President, and Chris Lombardi (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Chapter 6) was elected as National Secretary. Please see a separate article in this issue of the Washington Report for more details about Carter and Lombardi.

Finally, several awards were handed out at the annual Awards Luncheon. FMA National Vice President Ron Gryga (FMA Chapter 275, Hearings & Appeals Managers Association (Social Security Administration) was named FMA Manager of the Year. Savanna Massey, President of Chapter 11 (Fleet Readiness Center – Southeast, Jacksonville, FL) received the Gilbert N. Guidry Memorial Award as the outstanding chapter president. Chris Lombardi received the Odell Green award for his service as Region 1 Director on the National Executive Board. And Chapter 170 (Naval Weapons Center, Crane, IN) received the President’s Award, given to the Chapter of the year.