President Obama Appoints Marriott School Professor

Rex Facer, Associate Professor of Public Finance and ManagementPROVO, Utah – Nov 18, 2010 – President Barack Obama announced the appointment of seven new members of the Federal Salary Council, including Rex L. Facer, associate professor of public finance and management at the Marriott School of Management. The council evaluates pay comparability of 1.3 million federal employees in professional, administrative, technical, clerical and other white-collar jobs.

"These impressive individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and tremendous dedication to their new roles. I am confident that they will serve the American people well, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead," says President Obama in a release announcing the appointments.

The nine-member council meets in Washington, D.C., throughout the year to evaluate pay disparities between federal employees and private sector employees within their respective cities. Evaluations are made utilizing research performed by the Federal Bureau of Labor and Statistics and the Office of Personnel Management. Based on the council's evaluations, a formal recommendation of pay increases for federal employees in specific cities is given to the president each fall.

"By easing the gap in the cities that have large disparities, it makes it more attractive to work for the federal government," Facer says. "This helps the government attract high-quality employees."

Facer, a faculty member in the Romney Institute of Public Management, has more than 10 years of experience examining compensation and equity within pay systems, primarily within local governments. In addition to being a consultant on the topic he has served on the peer review and accreditation commission for the National Association of Schools in Public Affairs and Administration. Facer was one of two educators appointed to the council.

The seven newly appointed council members are: Stephen E. Condrey, chairman of the Federal Salary Council; Lou Cannon; Jeffrey David Cox; Rex L. Facer; Bill Fenaughty; Colleen Kelley and Jacqueline Simon. President Obama also announced his intent to appoint Sue K. Brown and David L. Carden to the Federal Salary Council.

"It is a high compliment to have the president look to the Marriott School for expertise on government compensation," says Joseph Ogden, assistant dean of the Marriott School. "We have terrific faculty doing quality work that can be respected and trusted."

The Romney Institute of Public Management was named in 1998 for three-term Michigan Governor George W. Romney. Part of Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Management, the Romney Institute offers a master's degree in public administration through both pre-service and executive programs. The Romney Institute has a long tradition of preparing young people for careers in public service and is dedicated to educating men and women of faith, character and professional ability who will become outstanding managers and leaders in public and nonprofit institutions worldwide.

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems and entrepreneurship. The school's mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School's graduate and undergraduate programs.