Megan J. Brennan, the first woman to head the U.S. Postal Service, has announced her retirement effective January 31, 2020. Her retirement will come at the end of her fifth year as USPS’s chief executive officer.
Brennan joined the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier 33 years ago. Prior to her selection as Postmaster General, she served four years as chief operating officer of the USPS and had been a vice president of both the Eastern and Northeastern area operations.
As Postmaster General, Brennan advanced technology and customer-centric strategies to invest in the future of the Postal Service and to shape growth opportunities for the organization and the industries it serves. These strategies encompassed better use of data and technology, improved speed-to-market of product and service innovations, continuously improved processes throughout the organization and fully engaged and leveraged the talents of the organization’s 635,000-employee workforce.
Brennan takes pride in USPS’s collective achievements during her tenure. In a letter to colleagues, Brennan said, “Despite the constraints on our business, we have shaped a brighter future for the Postal Service, while remaining a responsible employer, and always putting the customer at the center of our strategies.”
Under her tenure, the U.S. Postal Service has endured mounting pressure from President Donald Trump to increase the cost of shipping for some packages. Earlier this year, Brennan warned that the Postal Service could run out of money in 2024 unless Congress acted, after 12 years of net losses.
Brennan, however, remains optimistic in a USPS resurgence. “I have confidence in the future of the Postal Service,” she said. “We play a vital and indispensable role in the United States economy and to every American home, business and community. Our Governors are committed to strengthening the organization, and their judgment and stewardship will help the Postal Service find a financially sustainable path.”
During her remaining time, Brennan will assist the Postal Service Board of Governors as they conduct a nationwide search for the 75th Postmaster General of the United States.
Erin Eagan is an associate editor at Mailing Systems Technology. She can be reached at erin@rbpub.com.
