Transforming a Federal Agency

Chapter 12Making HUD's Transformation Sustainable

A change in presidential administrations results in a whole new leadership team, which may have a very different agenda. This makes cultural change very difficult and can lead to chaos. For example, if the next administration's priorities don't include HUD's GSA-Centers of Excellence strategy, or IT modernization efforts, many of our initiatives could melt away. The strategies we implemented will only become sustainable if they are embedded in the processes already, the career employees continue to push the agenda, or the new administration continues to make it a priority.

I am hopeful our financial infrastructure and IT modernization efforts will remain a priority and become sustainable. I discussed HUD's recent improvements and initiatives with President-Elect Joe Biden Administration's Transition Team and suggested sustainability solutions. The transition team seemed receptive, but it remains to be seen if it becomes a strategic priority. I was not asked to stay on through the transitional period, which is fine. My role was not overly political, and it wouldn't be unusual to be asked to assist through transition. I would likely have stayed for a short period of time, but not a full term. My Deputy CFO and our OCFO senior leadership team believe in the direction HUD was heading, but there is only so much a career staff can impact if financial infrastructure is not a priority with the next political leadership team.

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