Biodefense Grad, GAO Director Brian Mazanec Wins Award for Outstanding Federal Employee

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Schar School PhD in Biodefense 2014 PhD graduate Brian Mazanec stands in front of an American flag.
2020 Arthur S. Flemming Award winner Brian Mazanec

Brian Mazanec, a 2014 Schar School PhD graduate, has been named one of 12 recipients of the 2020 Arthur S. Flemming Awards recognizing outstanding federal employees.

Mazanec, who graduated from the Schar School’s top-ranked biodefense graduate program and now teaches in the biodefense and international security programs at the Schar School, is director of defense capabilities and management at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. In his position, Mazanec “oversees intelligence community management, personnel security clearances, artificial intelligence, sensitive activities, space policy and operations, and other emerging warfare issues, according to the GAO website.”

See Mazanac’s Schar School story.

“We are very proud to see one of our alum recognized for their contribution to U.S. national security policy,” said biodefense program director Gregory Koblentz. “Dr. Mazanec’s achievements are a great example of the Schar School motto ‘Policy in Action.’”

The awards, presented annually for 72 years to federal employees with 15 or more years of experience, are presented by the Arthur S. Flemming Commission, in partnership with the George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration. Award recipients are nominated by their federal agencies and selected through a competitive judging process.

“Mazanec has demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and excellence in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the national security enterprise, particularly the intelligence community, better preparing Congress and agencies to address critical emerging threats and challenges,” the commission said in an announcement.

“In addition to serving as a director responsible for GAO’s strategic warfare and intelligence portfolio, Mazanec has sought to educate and mentor a diverse and capable next generation of national security leaders. He has also led numerous efforts to position GAO to conduct an increasing amount of classified work and protect sensitive and classified information.”