DorobekInsider.com: GSA names Tyree Varnado to key acquisition post

We told you about the leadership shuffles going on over at GSA. Acting Administrator Jim Williams Jim Williams named Barney Brasseux as the agency’s number two official. That, of course, left a vacancy at the Federal Acquisition Service, where Brasseaux has been serving as the acting FAS commissioner.

I just got word that Williams has named Tyree Varnado to be the acting FAS Commissioner effective September 21.

Varnado will be permanently reassigned as the FAS deputy commissioner while holding serving as the acting FAS Commissioner.

Since December 2002, Varnado has been the assistant regional administrator for FAS in GSA’s greater southwest region.

Of course, there are actings all over GSA’s leadership because Williams’ nomination to be GSA administration — non-acting, if you will — has a hold by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). It’s unlikely that Grassley is going to lift that hold.

I don’t know Varnado, but I think it is a fascinating move — selecting somebody from outside the beltway. I also have a lot of faith in Williams.

I have already received this comment:

Not only a great guy, but it sends the right message that DC is NOT the center of the universe. That Jim Williams is a sharp dude.

Know Varnado? Do share.

And read Varnado’s bio from GSA after the break…

DorobekInsider.com: Grassley likely to keep his Williams hold

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)

Off topic — today is the birthday of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

Grassley, of course, is the man who has a quixotic hold on the nomination of Jim Williams to be GSA administrator. Grassley’s beef, of course, is over what he believes are misdeeds of Williams to get a GSA schedule contract for Sun Microsystems. Of course, Gassley contends that Williams’ actions cost the government money. Sun has since decided to walk away from the schedule contracts, which is more likely to actually cost the government money. (Both are equally unprovable, but… fact are overrated anyway.)

Grassley’s staff sent Williams and GSA a whole slew of questions in the interest of resolving the hold that the Iowa Republican has put on Williams’ nomination.

Well, don’t look for that to be resolved any time soon.

Capitol Hill sources tell me that the Senator’s staff is still not satisified — and the letter is to come as soon as this week.

It’s too bad.

Of course, Williams was gracious enough to appear on Federal News Radio’s Daily Debrief on Monday. Hear the interview with Williams here, where we touch briefly on this subject. [.mp3]