Orlando, Fla. (July 30, 2009) - The program executive officer for PEO STRI, Dr. James T. Blake, received today the Presidential Rank Award at an awards ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The highly-coveted award is granted annually by the U.S. government to career Senior Executive Service members and senior career employees.

According to the website of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the entity responsible for the federal government's civilian workforce, "the president recognizes and celebrates a small group of career senior executives…with the Presidential Rank Award. Recipients of this prestigious award are strong leaders, professionals and scientists who achieve results and consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service."

In total, 353 civilian executive employees were named recipients of the 2008 Presidential Rank Award. There are two categories of rank awards: Distinguished and Meritorious. Blake was nominated for, and received, the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious executives. This year, 291 other senior government employees were named Meritorious executives, limiting the honor to merely five percent of the entire federal government's Senior Executive Service members and senior career employees. The remaining 61 employees received the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished executives.

"Winners of the prestigious Presidential Rank Award represent the cream of the crop within the federal executive ranks," Office of Personnel Management acting director Michael Hager said in a statement announcing the 2008 awards. "Their professional dedication and commitment to excellence is helping to advance President Bush's agenda for enhancing federal government performance and creating a more effective civil service."

Blake was nominated by PEO STRI for leading a workforce of more than 900 employees, obligating more than $2 billion annually and overseeing the operation of 613,000 training devices worldwide. According to the organization's nomination packet, "PEO STRI has rapidly grown in size and number of programs, both mission and customer funded, under Dr. Blake's leadership. PEO STRI is widely recognized as the leader in developing and delivering training and testing products and services needed to support our Army at war. Dr. Blake's commitment to our customer-the Warfighter-is unmatched."

From this nomination packet, Blake was evaluated by different citizen panels, and once chosen, his selection for award was approved by former President George W. Bush. Blake, and all the rank award recipients, will receive a cash reward, lapel pin and a signed certificate from the president.