Since 1978, the Roger W. Jones Award has honored and recognized federal career executives for the Senior Executive Service who have demonstrated dedication to superior leadership in achieving their agency's mission and nurturing future managers.

Award recipients are not only committed to mission success, but also inspire those they lead, consistent with the career of the extraordinary public servant for whom the Award is named.

Roger Jones (February 3, 1908 - May 28, 1993) served seven U.S. presidents over four decades, including tours as Deputy Secretary of State, Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.

He extolled the importance of public administration and service, stressing the need to provide professional education for public managers.

Award Presentation

Recipients of the Roger W. Jones Award will be honored in a ceremony hosted by American University during the Annual Key Executive Leadership Conference and receive a $1,500 cash award.

Nomination Criteria

The criteria for this prestigious award for active federal career executives (members of SES) are demonstrated exceptional capabilities in the following areas:

• superior leadership which has resulted in outstanding organizational achievements
• a strong demonstrated commitment to develop the careers of people who will serve as managers and executives in the future federal service, contributing to the continuing excellence of government

Any career civilian employee of the executive branch of the U.S. government or member of the uniformed services who has at least three (3) years of service as of June 30, 2024, and who is not retirement eligible, may be submitted for nomination for the Roger Jones Award.

Presidential appointees, other administration appointees, and career civil service agency heads (acting or permanent) are invited each year to submit nominations of career executives responsible to them who have demonstrated outstanding executive leadership.