Meet Our Experts

Deb Green

Deb Green manages the Federal Aviation Administration’s IdeaHub Program and is a founding member of the Department of Transportation (DOT) IdeaHub program. IdeaHub takes employee engagement and innovation across DOT by providing an on-line community for 55,000 employees to post ideas for colleagues to comment and build upon. She began working on the IdeaHub initiative in 2009, and brought the concept to reality in less than 365 days. Currently, her team is responsible for bringing mission and workplace related ideas to FAA and DOT leadership for consideration, communicating decisions made, as well as progress on ideas selected for action. As a senior advisor for DOT IdeaHub, she sets priorities for platform development and serves on the White House Ideation Community of Practice forum. Notable achievements include eight years of honorable service as a federal agent and US Air Force officer. 

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Miami (FL), Deb earned a. M.A. in National Security from Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA and an M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University, Reston, LA.

Bill Spencer



William D. Spencer became Clerk of the Board of the  U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board on October 28, 2007.

Previously, Mr. Spencer was with the Federal Communications Commission where he was a Deputy Division Chief in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau after serving as a Deputy Managing Director from 2001 to 2006. In that capacity, he was responsible for a wide variety of initiatives, including strategic planning and performance measurement, and continuity of operations planning. Prior to that, Mr. Spencer served in a number of positions at the Department of Justice. From 1996 to 2001, he was Chief of the Budget and Fiscal Unit in the Antitrust Division. In that position, Mr. Spencer managed all phases of the Division’s budget cycle and led the Division’s efforts in complying with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. Before that he directed the Antitrust Division’s International Technical Assistance Program for five years, and he began his career as a space management specialist in the Justice Management Division for four years.

Mr. Spencer earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia and his Master of Public Administration at George Mason University.

Week 2

Sydney Smith-Heimbrock

Sydney Smith-Heimbrock leads Employee Services’ Center for Strategic Workforce Planning. Her team develops forecasts and strategies to position the Federal workforce for future requirements, and tests creative new solutions through OPM’s Innovation Lab. Dr. Heimbrock also serves as Provost of the HR University, the Federal Government’s “one stop” Human Resources Career Development Center.

Dr. Heimbrock brings 20 years of public – and private – sector senior management experience in human capital development, performance management, and government reform worldwide. As a senior management consultant, she designed and conducted performance management training for government clients throughout the United States and internationally. During her previous federal service, Dr. Smith-Heimbrock served as the U.S. Department of Labor’s Director of International Technical Cooperation, leading global workforce development and government reform programs in partnership with the International Labor Organization, the World Bank, the Department of State, USAID and other key agencies.  

Dr. Smith-Heimbrock earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from Miami University of Ohio, concentrating in Public Administration and Comparative Politics. She holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Syracuse University and Stanford University. Dr. Smith-Heimbrock has published and presented numerous papers on public policy and human capital development, and conducted original research on the competencies required to govern by network.

Jim Elliott

Jim Elliott is a Principal with J F Elliott and Associates, consulting to governments, non-profits and businesses interested in improving teamwork, and developing new managers and leaders. With almost 40 years of experience in local government, an MBA from the University of California, Irvine, an undergraduate degree from Arizona State University, and 13 years experience in the leadership of a small manufacturing business, Jim brings an understanding of both government and business to task of making better organizations. His years of hands-on management of government financial affairs, general organizational issues, and communications between businesses and government provide a unique insight into many of the challenges facing organizations today.

As Deputy City Manager for Carlsbad, CA, Jim successfully guided the organization through both good and difficult economic times. His high-performing teams developed successful financial, budgeting, forecasting, management compensation, and measurement systems, and created an organization that is often seen as a model for local governments.

Jim brings more almost 20 years experience in leadership development, nurturing new managers and leaders, and employee-driven change efforts.

Jim is also a certified facilitator, and has been trained in managing conflicts and improving relationships using the SDI (Strengths Deployment Inventory), a tool that helps individuals and groups manage and improve their relationships, teamwork, and productivity.

Week 3

Bill Eggers



William (Bill) Eggers is one of the country’s best known authorities on government reform. An author, columnist and popular speaker for two decades, he has built a significant following among public sector thought leaders in the U.S., Canada and overseas. Bill has advised dozens of cities, states and foreign countries and trained hundreds of public officials on government restructuring. He is a sought-after speaker, giving close to 100 speeches each year.

Currently, as the global director for Deloitte Research and executive director of Deloitte’s Public Leadership Institute, he is responsible for research and thought leadership for Deloitte’s Public Sector practice.

Bill is a former appointee to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Performance Measurement Advisory Commission and the former project director for the Texas Performance Review/e-Texas initiative. He was involved in two performance reviews, in which he identified more than $2.5 billion worth of savings and non-tax revenues for the state. More than 60 percent of the recommendations in the reviews were enacted into law. Bill also served as a commissioner for the Texas Incentive and Productivity Commission and a designee on the Texas Council on Competitive Government.

Jean Brown



Jean Brown is the Executive Director of the Chicago Federal Executive Board (FEB), coordinating shared initiatives between the 178 federal offices and agencies located in the Chicago area which represents approximately 57,000 Federal employees. The FEB focuses on shared initiatives related to emergency preparedness, executive training, and community outreach.

Prior to joining FEB, Jean worked for the U.S. Dept. of State, Office of Foreign Missions, serving as the primary focal point for State Department services to over 80 foreign consulates located in the Midwest. In assisting foreign diplomats Jean drew on her experience serving at the U.S. Embassy in South Korea, Tunisia, and in Washington, DC.

Jean is a native of Indiana. She now resides in Chicago with her husband Jason and their two daughters. She holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Loyola University and an M.A. in Public Affairs from Indiana University.


Andy Krzmarzick

Andy is GovLoop’s Director of Community Engagement. You can contact him via email at: [email protected]

Steve Cottle

Steve is a Graduate Fellow at GovLoop. You can contact him via email at: [email protected]