Commission Names Pehrkon Staff Director

For Immediate Release:                                                                                             Contact:   Ron Harris
April 14, 1998                                                                                                                                Sharon Snyder
                                                                                                                                                         Ian Stirton
                                                                                                                                                         Kelly Huff


 


COMMISSION NAMES PEHRKON STAFF DIRECTOR


WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission today selected James A. Pehrkon as
its staff director, replacing John C. Surina who left the agency last year for a position
in the Department of Agriculture.

Mr. Pehrkon has been serving as Acting Staff Director for several months, and before
that served as the agency’s Deputy Staff Director for Management. He has overseen the
FEC’s response to the recent performance audit and management review undertaken by
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) at the direction of Congress.

That audit found the FEC to be a competently managed organization with a skilled and
motivated staff, but suggested several changes and improvements, such as more use of
electronic filing by reporting entities. Mr. Pehrkon recently prepared a report on the
FEC’s plans for responding to PwC’s recommendations. His report noted certain
changes already under way and included plans for the use of outside consultants to assist
with several projects.

The Commission has directed Mr. Pehrkon to continue his efforts to recommend and
implement improvements in the FEC’s operations. His experience and knowledge will be
invaluable in this regard.

Mr. Pehrkon is a graduate of Harvard University. He also studied at the graduate level
at Georgetown University. He and his wife, Elena, make their home in Great Falls, VA.

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