Government officials and acquisition experts welcomed the news that President Bush has chosen Jim Williams to head the General Services Administration, an agency trying to stabilize itself after several years of troubles.

Last week Bush nominated Williams, commissioner of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, to become the agency’s administrator, ending speculation that Bush might let the position remain unfilled until the next administration takes office. The job has been open for nearly two months, after Lurita Doan abruptly resigned in late April at the White House’s urging. While Deputy Administrator David Bibb had stepped in as acting administrator, he recently announced that he will retire in September.

“I am pleased the president has nominated a new administrator to head the General Services Administration, an agency that badly needs effective and honest leadership at the top to effectively manage the agency’s responsibility to provide goods and services across the federal government,” said Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. His committee will conduct Williams’ confirmation hearing.

At GSA, Williams has been a stable presence, especially during the two years when Doan headed the agency, according to agency observers. He’s well-respected by colleagues and outside constituents, industry experts say.

But his nomination and Bibb’s planned exit put two of GSA’s top three positions in flux, said Bob Woods, president of Topside Consulting Group and former GSA commissioner. David Winstead, commissioner of the agency’s Public Buildings Service, is the only leader not changing positions in the next few months, Woods said. 

Although Williams would help GSA overall, FAS will lose his direct leadership, which has been a linchpin for the organization, said Scott Orbach, president of EZGSA, a company that helps businesses work with GSA. FAS could become more decentralized without its strong leader.
“I think the loss will be felt at FAS,” he said.