Eugenio Ochoa Sexton

Meeting of October 23, 2008 – Issues Facing Hispanics in the Federal Workplace

Experience

In December 2007, Mr. Gene Sexton assumed the position of DHS' first Director, Recruiting and Diversity. He has spearheaded the establishment of a DHS Diversity Council and co-chairs that Council's Diversity Planning and Policy Sub Council. He also drafted DHS' initial Diversity Strategy.

Prior to this assignment, Mr. Sexton served as Director, Recruiting, Staffing and Services since May 2006. In this capacity, he provides executive oversight to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) corporate recruitment planning and execution at a time when recruiting, hiring, and retaining top talent has become key to the success of DHS' ability to deliver its critical mission. Mr. Sexton led the planning and execution of DHS' first Department Career Expo, established a DHS Recruitment Council, and created a comprehensive Veterans Outreach Strategy, which has been hailed as a best practices by OPM and others.

Mr. Sexton previously served as the first Director, Human Capital Management, at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). From 2004 to 2006, he established the first GSA executive position to manage agency level strategic workforce planning, Human Capital policy formulation, and competency assessment strategies. He managed the implementation of GSA's new performance management system, which went from a two-tier (pass/fail) system to a five-tier one and incorporated links to agency goals.

Prior to GSA, Mr. Sexton served in various positions at the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), from 1980 to 2004, including all levels of management in the areas of human resources, resources management, and public affairs. He served a personnel officer in two of IRS's largest field offices in Laguna Niguel, California, and Manhattan; as well as HR management policy positions in headquarters in Washington, D.C. Mr. Sexton planned and implemented IRS' first internal communications program in 1986 and first skills assessment project office in 1994. He also served on the management negotiations team on two National agreements between IRS and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

Mr. Sexton hails from New Mexico and served in the U.S. Army.

Education and Advanced Training

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Mass Communications, New Mexico State University

Master of Arts in Government with an emphasis in Ethnic Politics, New Mexico State University

Master of Public Administration courses, George Washington University

Selected Professional Affiliations

• National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives