PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE NAMES THREE NEW MEMBERS TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

April 21, 2020

 WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service is pleased to announce that three new members have been elected to serve on its board of directors. The board has elected retired Air Force Gen. Lester L. Lyles, former chairman of the board, USAA, and former vice chief of staff, U.S Air Force; Kevin Sheekey, global head of external relations, Bloomberg LP; and Jim VandeHei, co-founder and CEO, Axios. 

In welcoming these new members to the board, Max Stier, Partnership president and CEO, said “Les, Kevin and Jim each bring a wealth of experience, expertise and leadership to the Partnership’s work at a time when our government is under tremendous strain. The COVID-19 pandemic is an urgent wake-up call for the need to rebuild and reshape our government, and we are fortunate to have the guidance of these individuals, and our entire board, as we continue efforts to improve our federal government.” 

About the Partnership’s newly elected board members: Retired Air Force Gen. Lester L. Lyles, former chairman of the board, USAA, and former vice chief of staff, U.S Air Force 

Gen. Lyles is a distinguished retired military officer with 35 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of four-star general before retiring in October 2003. Notably during his tenure, Lyles was the commander of the Air Force Materiel Command, an 82,000-person organization implementing all research, development, acquisition and logistics. He also served as the vice chief of staff of the Air Force, the second-highest leadership position in the Air Force, where he assisted the chief of staff in managing 750,000 active duty, guard and reserve Air Force personnel in executing global missions. After retiring from the Air Force, Lyles has served as a member or chairman of several corporate boards, including the board of USAA. He is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal and Astronautics Engineer of the Year. 

Kevin Sheekey, global head of external relations, Bloomberg LP 

Sheekey oversees global government relations and communications for Bloomberg LP, the media and financial information company founded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He served as campaign manager for the Mike Bloomberg 2020 presidential campaign. Prior to joining Bloomberg LP, Sheekey was deputy mayor of New York for government affairs where he managed local, state and federal government relations for the city. Prior to his appointment, Sheekey was Mayor Bloomberg’s campaign manager in the 2005 mayoral election and served as president of the New York City Host Committee for the 2004 Republican National Convention. 

Jim VandeHei, co-founder and CEO, Axios 

VandeHei is a co-founder and CEO of Axios, a media company focused on breaking news and invaluable insights across politics, tech, business, media and the world. Axios was created to help readers and viewers get smarter, faster across the topics reshaping our country and lives. As CEO, VandeHei has steered Axios into becoming one of the most celebrated digital media success stories of the past few years. VandeHei also serves as executive producer on “Axios on HBO.” Before Axios, VandeHei co-founded and was CEO of POLITICO, the media company that upended and revolutionized political and policy journalism in Washington, New York and Europe. Prior to POLITICO, VandeHei spent more than a decade as a reporter, covering the ins and outs of Washington politics and power at publications such as Roll Call, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. 

Lyles, Sheekey and VandeHei join chairman Tom A. Bernstein, president, Chelsea Piers Management, Inc. and other board members who bring federal and private sector leadership experience to the work of the Partnership. “The addition of these individuals will bring new energy and expertise to the Partnership’s work and make a tremendous difference during an exceptionally challenging time for our government and our nation.” said Tom Bernstein. “We look forward to their engagement and drawing on their many talents.” 

Other members of the Partnership’s board of directors include Max Stier, Partnership for Public Service president and CEO; Doug Conant, founder and CEO, ConantLeadership, and former CEO and president, Campbell Soup Company; Joel L. Fleishman, professor of law and director, Heyman Center for Ethics, Public Policy, and the Professions, Duke University; Nora Gardner, senior partner, McKinsey & Company; W. Scott Gould, CEO, Mountain Lake Associates, LLC; David J. Kappos, partner, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP; Robert A. McDonald, former secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs and retired chairman, president and CEO, The Procter & Gamble Company; Jennifer Millstone; Tom Nides, vice chairman, Morgan Stanley; Indra Nooyi, former chairman and CEO, PepsiCo; Sean O’Keefe, university professor and Howard G. and S. Louise Phanstiel Chair in Strategic Management and Leadership, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University; Dina Powell, managing director, Goldman Sachs; Steven C. Preston, president and CEO, Goodwill Industries International, Inc.; Dan Tangherlini, chief financial officer, The Emerson Collective; George W. Wellde Jr.; and Neal S. Wolin, CEO, Brunswick Group. 

During the past 19 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to making the federal government more effective for the American people. We work across administrations to help transform the way government operates by increasing collaboration, accountability, efficiency and innovation. Visit opswebdev.wpengine.com to learn more. Follow us on social @RPublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.