Vincent N. Micone III, presidential transition officer and senior counselor for management at the Homeland Security Department, was recently named a fellow by the National Academy of Public Administration.

How will you use your NAPA fellowship to promote/influence good government?

Election as a NAPA Fellow is a tremendous honor. When I was just beginning my career as a federal employee, I interacted frequently with Dwight and Donna Ink and other prominent fellows. I learned a great deal from those interactions which helped frame the early part of my career. As a fellow, I plan to be an active member of panels and standing committees which consider solutions to significant government challenges. In addition to my position in the federal government, I’ve served as an elected neighborhood Advisory Commissioner and Mayoral appointee in the District of Columbia and on the boards of non-profit organizations. These roles have provided a vantage point to observe the interconnectedness of the government enterprise, something I hope to bring to the table.

What’s the best management-related advice you ever received?

In 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt gave a fascinating speech entitled Citizenship in a Republic at the Sorbonne in Paris. His speech was a treatise on the virtue of the citizen, rule of law and government. Much of the text is as relevant today as it was when my grandfather was a child. I keep a prominent quote from this speech in my office:

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”

From TDR’s great speech and this memorable quote, I am reminded daily to take chances, to acknowledge and celebrate the victories of my staff, to accept failure and learn from those mistakes. I am also reminded daily — as the son and grandson of immigrants to this great nation — of the great privilege and “worthy cause” it is to serve the American people.

What do you think is the most important change the government needs to make in the next 5 years?

One of the most important changes that government at all levels needs to make is to dramatically improve the hiring process. No matter what the size of government, we absolutely need to recruit, hire and retain the very best. For government to be effective, it must reflect those governed and right now we do a horrible job of bringing younger generations of employees on board. Also, it needs to be easier for good employees to leave government and return, which can make them stronger and more effective team members and leaders. Finally, we need to find a better way in the federal government in particular to select senior leaders. Drafting a 20-page essay has no bearing on one’s leadership skills and it’s an outdated way to pick our new leaders. We cannot afford to business as usual and need to become more competitive in the hiring market.

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