This is one in a series of profileson the 2012 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal finalists. The awards, presented by the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, recognize outstanding federal employees whose important, behind-the-scenes work is advancing the health, safety and well-being of Americans and are among the most prestigious honors given to civil servants. This profile features Management Excellence medal finalists from the Office of Personnel Management in Washington, D.C., Joseph Kennedy, deputy associate director, Ray Decker, assistant director and Hakeem Basheerud-Deen, deputy assistant director.

Declaring that the government has an obligation to those who have served and sacrificed in defense of our nation, President Obama in 2009 issued an executive order calling for federal agencies to step up efforts to recruit and hire qualified veterans. Keep reading →