Federal Drive interviews — May 21

Federal Drive

Federal Drive interviews — May 21

Marie Johns, deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration talks about National Small Business Week. Dr. Todd Fore, executive director of the Air Force...

Federal News Network Staff

May 21, 2012 9:57 am

2 min read

This is the Federal Drive show blog. Here you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

Today’s guests:

Marie Johns — deputy administrator, Small Business Administration

Entrepreneurs swarm into Washington, D.C., this week to learn what they can do to grow their business and potentially the economy. Deputy Administrator Marie Johns of the Small Business Administration talks about the three-day conference SBA is hosting in connection with National Small Business Week and that gets started in earnest today.

Dr. Todd Fore — executive director, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base

Federal agencies are on their final leg on the road to reform hiring. Before the end of the year, all federal agencies should have reduced their overall hiring process down to 80 days. Part of this effort has required agencies to take less time making decisions candidates. Recently, the Air Force cut in half the time it would take to make the call from 30 days down to 15. Dr. Todd Fore, executive director of the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base, discusses the latest on how the Air Force is improving the federal recruitment and hiring process.

Lester Lyles — former leader of the Military Leadership Diversity Commission

Democratic lawmakers are pressuring the military to diversify its top ranks quickly. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) have introduced legislation that would require the Pentagon to develop benchmarks for hiring and promoting women and minorities. The new legislation is based, in part, on recommendations that a military panel made last year. Retired Air Force Gen. Lester Lyles led the Military Leadership Diversity Commission.

Lyles: Diversity bill codifies commission’s findings

DoD updates base planning guidelines

Navy official calls cyber greatest, long-term threat

White House applauds Twitter decision