People: Mile-high execs

Every Monday on GovExec.com, the People column announces the arrivals and departures of top federal managers and executives. To submit an announcement, e-mail it to ksaldarini@govexec.com or fax it to 202-739-8511.

Special thanks to the Denver Federal Executive Board for providing the following news on mile-high executives:

• Anthony J. Preite is the new regional director for the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.
• Col. John L. Wilkinson is the new commander of the 821st Space Group at the Air Force's Buckley Air National Guard Base.
• Major General Mason C. Whitney is the new adjutant general of Colorado, Department of Military Affairs. Whitney assumes command from Major General William A. Westerdahl, who retired this month.
• Nelson Chase is the new manager of the Peace Corps in Denver.
• Robert Svenningsen retired from his position as regional administrator of the Denver National Archives & Records Administration in December 1999.
• Col. James V. Barager, commander of Defense Contract Management Command - Lockheed Martin, is retiring later this month.
• Neil Stessman, director of the Interior Department's Reclamation Service Center is also retiring in late February.
• H. Jan Faulkner, director of the Rocky Mountain Region Cooperative Administrative Support Unit, is leaving the federal government for private industry.

Ben L. Erdreich has announced that he will leave the Merit Systems Protection Board in March, when he concludes his 7-year term as Chairman. Erdreich has served in the position since July 2, 1993. During his tenure he led the agency through substantial downsizing and promoted the use of alternative dispute resolution.

Dave Farber has been named chief technologist for the Federal Communications Commission. Farber is a former trustee of the Internet Society.

David Aaron, undersecretary for international trade at the Commerce Department, is leaving to join the private sector. Upon his departure in March, Aaron will join the Washington office of the Dorsey & Whitney law firm.

Alfred Rascon was awarded the the nation's highest honor-the Medal of Honor-last week by President Clinton. Rascon, a former Army medic, is credited with saving his platoon during a fight in Vietnam in 1966. He now serves as inspector general for the Selective Service System in Arlington.