Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service: An Overview

The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service is a group of nine members who oversee the postal service's operations. The Board is responsible for setting the overall direction and strategy for the USPS.

The Board of Governors is composed of nine members, with the Postmaster General serving as a member ex officio. This means that the Postmaster General automatically has a seat on the Board. The other eight members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

The Board's primary responsibility is to set the rates and services offered by the USPS, as well as to oversee the postal service's finances. They also have the authority to appoint the Postmaster General and other senior officials. The Board meets regularly to discuss and vote on key issues affecting the USPS.

The Board of Governors plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the USPS, and its decisions have a significant impact on the postal service and the public it serves.

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The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service has a rich history that dates back to 1775, when the Second Continental Congress created the first postal system in the American colonies.

The Board's origins can be traced back to the Postal Act of 1873, which established the Board of Postal Commissioners and gave it the authority to oversee the postal service's finances and operations.

The Board's role has evolved over time, with the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 transforming it into the Board of Governors we know today.

The Board's membership has also undergone changes, with the Postal Reorganization Act increasing the number of governors from three to nine, including the Postmaster General.

Additional reading: Postal Services Act 2000

The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service has a clear set of authorities and responsibilities.

The board directs the exercise of the powers of the Postal Service, reviews its practices, and controls its expenditures. It also conducts long-range planning and sets policies on all postal matters.

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The board meets once a month, with each governor receiving $300 per day for not more than 42 days of meetings each year, in addition to an annual salary of $30,000. The governors also employ a full-time corporate secretary who serves as the primary staff assistant to the board.

The board is responsible for setting the long-term plan of USPS, including approval of official statements on policy and on legislative proposals. Authorization from the board is generally required prior to certain USPS changes to mail service standards.

The governors have certain responsibilities and authorities that are exercised by them rather than the board as a whole. The governors establish rates and classes of competitive products and authorize rate adjustments for market dominant products.

The governors are responsible for appointment and removal of the USPS inspector general, along with the postal commissioners.

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The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service has had its share of members over the years. Anton Hajjar served as Vice Chairman from June 15, 2021 to December 8, 2024.

Donald Trump nominated Donald L. Moak and William D. Zollars, both Governors, who served from June 18, 2020 to December 8, 2023. Ron A. Bloom, Chairman, was also nominated by Trump and served from August 20, 2019 to December 8, 2021. John McLeod Barger, Governor, was nominated by Trump and served from August 1, 2019 to December 8, 2021.

Here's a list of former members who served under different presidents:

The former members of a particular group have interesting stories to tell. Anton Hajjar, a former vice chairman, served under President Joe Biden from June 15, 2021 to December 8, 2024.

Donald Trump nominated several former members. Donald L. Moak was a governor from June 18, 2020 to December 8, 2023, while William D. Zollars held the same position from June 18, 2020 to December 8, 2023.

Ron A. Bloom was the chairman from August 20, 2019 to December 8, 2021. He was also nominated by Donald Trump. John McLeod Barger, another governor, served from August 1, 2019 to December 8, 2021.

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Mike Duncan was the chairman from September 13, 2018 to March 27, 2025, a relatively long tenure. David C. Williams, a vice chairman, served from October 30, 2017 to April 30, 2020. James Bilbray, a former vice chairman, was nominated by George W. Bush and served from 2006 to December 8, 2016.

James C. Miller III was a governor from 2003 to 2012, another long-serving member. Here's a list of the former members mentioned:

The current members of the board are a diverse group of individuals with varying backgrounds and expertise. Amber McReynolds serves as the Chair of the board, a position she assumed on June 15, 2021.

The Vice Chair is Derek Kan, a Republican who took office on May 20, 2022. He replaced John McLeod Barger in this role.

Roman Martinez IV is one of the Governors, a position he's held since August 1, 2019. He's a Republican and his term expires on December 8, 2024.

There are also several vacant Governor positions on the board, including those for Mike Duncan and Donald L. Moak, both of which expire on December 8, 2029.

Here's a breakdown of the current board members:

The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service meets regularly, with a schedule established by the Board itself. The first regular meeting in November of each calendar year is designated as the annual meeting.

The Board is expected to attend meetings in person, but under exceptional circumstances, a member can participate remotely via conference telephone, video conference, or similar communications equipment. This allows for full compliance with the provisions concerning public observation of meetings.

Attendance at a meeting by remote participation constitutes presence at the meeting, and members can be paid for their participation if the meeting addresses substantive matters. However, no proxies are allowed in any vote of the members of the Board.

A quorum for the transaction of business by the Board is six members, except in certain circumstances. Notation voting, which involves circulating written memoranda and voting sheets, may be used for routine, non-controversial, or administrative matters.

In the event of an emergency, such as the death or incapacitation of a member, the remaining members can form a Temporary Emergency Committee to provide for continuity of operations. The Chairman or Vice Chairman can convene a meeting of this committee to address necessary business.

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The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service has four standing committees that help carry out its responsibilities. These committees are established under Title 39, Section 5.1, of the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Audit and Finance Committee prepares financial statements, reports, and audits. It's essential for ensuring the postal service is financially stable.

The Compensation and Governance Committee reviews proposals and policies related to postal compensation and USPS governance structure. This committee plays a crucial role in shaping the postal service's organizational structure.

The Election Mail Committee monitors USPS's election cycle preparations and oversees USPS election mail processes and procedures. This committee ensures that the postal service is prepared for elections.

The Operations Committee monitors USPS operations and provides guidance on service performance and systemic changes to the mail network. This committee helps improve the efficiency of the postal service.

The Board of Governors holds quarterly open board meetings to discuss important issues like USPS's financial status, mail volume, and service performance.

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The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service has its own set of rules of conduct.

These rules are outlined in Part 10 of the Postal Service regulations, specifically for the members of the Board of Governors.

A Governor may seek advice and guidance on conflicts of interest from the Associate General Counsel or a designated assistant.

The Associate General Counsel can provide rulings on questions of conflicts of interest, using either the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch or the Postal Service regulations.

If the Associate General Counsel determines that a Governor has violated a federal statute or regulation, they will bring it to the attention of the Governor or notify the General Counsel, Chairman, or Vice Chairman, as appropriate.

This ensures that any potential issues are addressed promptly and appropriately.

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The USPS Board of Governors has four standing committees that help carry out its responsibilities. These committees are established under Title 39, Section 5.1, of the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Audit and Finance Committee is responsible for preparing financial statements, reports, and audits. The Compensation and Governance Committee reviews proposals and policies related to postal compensation and the USPS governance structure.

The Election Mail Committee monitors USPS's election cycle preparations and oversees election mail processes and procedures. The Operations Committee monitors USPS operations and provides guidance on service performance and systemic changes to the mail network.

The Board of Governors holds quarterly open board meetings to discuss important issues such as USPS's financial status, mail volume, and service performance.

The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service is funded through the Postal Service Fund, a revolving fund that generates revenue from postal products and services.

Operational expenses, including compensation for board members, are covered by this fund.

The compensation for Postal Governors is set by statute at $30,000 per year, plus $300 per day for up to 42 meeting days per year.

In FY2024, total pay for each governor ranged from $35,805 to $37,634, averaging $36,411.

The governors also set the pay for the postmaster general and deputy postmaster general, which can include base salaries, bonuses, and performance-based incentives.

The postmaster general's FY2024 base salary was $336,399, with a total compensation of $561,051.

The deputy postmaster general's FY2024 base salary was $323,077, with a total compensation of $666,582.

Both the postmaster general and deputy postmaster general are eligible for USPS pension benefits and may receive additional compensation for things like travel expenditures and security detail services.