2022 Roger W. Jones Awardees Reflect on Careers in Public Service

Integrity. Skill. Fierce Resolve. These are three of the many characteristics that connect the public servants who are recognized with the School of Public Affairs Key Executive Leadership Programs’ Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership.

Since 1978, the Roger W. Jones Award has honored federal career executives of the Senior Executive Service who have demonstrated dedication to superior leadership in achieving their agency's mission and nurturing future leaders. This year’s recipients are no exception.

“It may be our favorite time of year, the chance we get to celebrate public service heroes who deliver civilization to our public,” Key Programs Director, Patrick Malone said. “These leaders embody the finest public service values, and combine them with a passion for kindness, empathy, care, and a drive to develop those they lead. Everything Roger W. Jones stood for.”

The 2022 awardees are Sherri Berger, Chief of Staff at the CDC; Dietra Grant, Director of the Customer Account Services (CAS) Organization at the Internal Revenue Service; and Alphonso Hughes, Executive Assistant Director, Administration - Office of the Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Each awardee has a unique reason for joining the public service. For Grant, a friend’s encouragement led her to the IRS in 1985; Berger was drawn “to a federal career for the spirit of service and duty;” and Hughes was looking to complement his 20 years in the military with the federal service.

Although their public service beginnings were distinct from one another, they were unified in what keeps them galvanized and coming back to work every day - the people around them and their impact.

“It’s truly [the impact] what has kept me here and what has energized me,” Grant said. “Knowing what I do today has such an impact on our community, being to educate our taxpayers on their tax obligations, to be able to make filing their taxes a little bit easier is what keeps me here.”

“The pleasant smiling workforce that I walk into everyday keeps me energized,” Hughes said. “When things are tough, and there is a mission to accomplish,?you insulate the ranks to the extent that is possible and lean forward into getting the mission done.”

“I have a deep appreciation for the work we do across CDC and the impact we have around the world,” Berger said. “What keeps me energized is CDC’s greatest asset, the more than 12,000 people who make up our agency. They are hard at work, day in and day out, protecting the health security of our nation.”

When it comes to serving the public, recruiting and maintaining the workforce is essential. For Berger, building the workforce of the future starts with prioritizing connection to the mission and a sense of duty to the community.

“We can lead by example, mentor newcomers, and highlight positive impacts,” Berger said. “It speaks volumes about our commitment to public service when we express and adhere to values that prioritize impact and model them. Engaging through executive training and mentorship extends this commitment, enforcing the importance of public servants to succeed and continuously improve the field.”

“I think when I started years ago it was always sort of that ‘good government job.’ Well nowadays folks aren’t looking for that good government job,” Grant said. “They’re looking for something new and exciting. So, I think we have to think outside of the box in order to bring in the good talent that’s out there.”

“Everyone must do just a small piece to attract that talent,” Hughes said. “The public sector is so network oriented that if the federal workforce doesn’t change with the environment, we will not get the advantage of picking that diverse and top talent.”

All three stressed the importance of mentorship in retaining and shaping the workforce of the future to not only share their passion but also their knowledge. ?

“One of my greatest mentors told me to lead with passion and empathy but never let the passion get you into trouble,” Hughes said. “That is so true even today, so while there are guardrails, stretch them but don’t subvert them. Network, network, network and always mentor someone – even if it’s just one person. The next generation needs the knowledge and inspiration we hold to be successful in leading into the future.”

“I would advise someone coming into government work to invest in always learning and expanding your skill set and find mentors to help you grow…,” Berger said. “There are a many public servants, like me, excited to welcome newcomers and share their knowledge; it is just a matter of making that connection.”

Nominations for the 2023 Roger W. Jones Award cycle are due June 30, 2023. Visit key.american.edu for more information.