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House History

Chief Administrative Officers of the House

(1995 to Present)

A House of Representatives officer from 1995 to the present, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) position was authorized by H. Res. 6 of the 104th Congress (1995-1997). The CAO is elected at the start of each Congress and oversees financial and administrative functions of the House previously administered by the Offices of the Postmaster and Doorkeeper. Under the current House Rule II, the CAO manages House computer systems, finances, human resources, media, and procurement.

The predecessor to the CAO was the Director of Non-Legislative and Financial Services. Established by H. Res. 423 of the 102nd Congress (1991-1993), the Director reported to the House Administration Committee. This appointed position was eliminated at the end of the 103rd Congress (1993-1995). Unlike the Director of Non-Legislative and Financial Services, the CAO reports directly to the Speaker of the House.


Congress (Years)
Director of Non-Legislative and Financial Services, State or Territory1
Date Appointed
102nd (1991-93) Leonard P. Wishart, III, NJ Oct. 23, 1992
103rd (1993-95) Leonard P. Wishart, III, NJ2 Jan. 5, 1993
  Randall B. Medlock Jan. 19943
 
Congress (Years) Chief Administrative Officer, State or Territory Date Elected
104th (1995-97) Scot M. Faulkner, WV4 Jan. 4, 1995
  Jeff Trandahl, SD Nov. 22, 19965
105th (1997-99) Jeff Trandahl, SD Jan. 9, 19976
  James M. Eagen, III, PA July 31, 19977
106th (1999-2001) James M. Eagen, III, PA Jan. 6, 1999
107th (2001-03) James M. Eagen, III, PA Jan. 3, 2001
108th (2003-05) James M. Eagen, III, PA Jan. 7, 2003
109th (2005-07) James M. Eagen, III, PA Jan. 4, 2005
110th (2007-09) James M. Eagen, III, PA8 Jan. 4, 2007
  Daniel P. Beard, MD Feb. 15, 20079
111th (2009-11) Daniel P. Beard, MD10 Jan. 6, 2009
  Daniel J. Strodel, DC July 18, 201011


Sources: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (2005); Congressional Directory, various editions; Congressional Record, various editions; H. Rept. No. 97-HOC-12 (September 24, 1997).

1. Specific state information is provided when known.
2. Resigned January 10, 1994; resignation accepted January 21, 1994. See the Congressional Record, 103rd Cong. 2nd sess. (February 3, 1994): 282.
3. A specific appointment date could not be located. For the approximate appointment date, see the CQ Almanac (1994) overview of the 103rd Congress: 13; and Roll Call, 17 January 1994.
4. Resigned November 22, 1996. CQ Almanac (1996) 104th Congress, 2nd sess.: 1-20.
5. Appointed November 22, 1996. "Congressional (Speaker) Press Release," November 22, 1996. Roll Call, 25 November 1996: 1; 16.
6. Appointed January 9, 1997, "to act as and to exercise temporarily" the CAO duties. See the Congressional Record, 105th Cong., 1st sess. (January 9, 1997): 76. Resigned July 1997.
7. Elected by H. Res. 207, on July 31, 1997. See, Congressional Record, 105th Cong., 1st sess., (July 31, 1997): 6669.
8. Resigned February 14, 2007. See, Congressional Record, House, 110th Cong., 1st sess., (February 6, 2007): H1230.
9. Elected by H. Res. 129, on February 6, 2007.  See, Congressional Record, 110th Cong., 1st sess., (February 6, 2007): H1230.
10. Resigned July 18, 2010. See, Congressional Record, 111th Cong., 2nd. sess., (July 15, 2010): H5656.
11. Appointed July 18, 2010, to exercise temporarily the duties of Chief Administrative Officer. See, Congressional Record, 111th Cong., 2nd sess., (July 15, 2010): H5656.


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