First woman postmaster general starts Feb. 1

Megan J. Brennan will become the next postmaster general Feb. 1, announced the United States Postal Service during its Nov. 14 board of governors meeting. She will become the agency’s 74th postmaster general and the first woman in that role.

The appointment of Brennan was made after current Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe announced his retirement effective Feb. 1.

“Megan has demonstrated outstanding vision, leadership and executive ability in her role as chief operating officer, and has been extraordinarily successful in managing the operations of the Postal Service,” said Mickey D. Barnett, chairman of the USPS board of governors. “She is highly regarded throughout the Postal Service and among the broader community of our major customers and business partners — and rightly so.”

Brennan currently serves the U.S. Postal Service as its chief operating officer and executive vice president. Prior to that she was the vice president of Eastern area operations. Her career with the Postal Service began in 1986 with a letter carrier position in Lancaster, Pa.

Brennan graduated from Immaculata College in Pennsylvania and has a master of business degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Donahoe’s career with the Postal Service will total 39 years. He was named postmaster general in October 2010.

“The organization has a lot of momentum right now, and we’re doing a lot to innovate and improve the way we serve the public and our customers,” stated Donahoe during the Nov. 14 board of governors meeting. “The nature of delivery is changing dramatically and the Postal Service will continue to be an important part of those changes.”

“It’s always difficult to walk away from something you love and have a lot of passion for, but knowing that the organization is moving forward with a strong plan and lot of momentum makes it easier,” he added.

Donahoe’s career started in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he was a clerk during his time at the University of Pittsburgh. He also served the U.S. Postal Service in additional areas, including deputy postmaster general and chief operating officer.

He has been an avid promoter of stamps and stamp collecting during his time as postmaster general, attending numerous first-day ceremonies and communicating with stamp collectors.

Donahoe was the dedicating official for the $2 Jenny Invert stamp and attended the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery opening ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum.

Additionally, Donahoe himself is a stamp collector.