David J. Barram, Administrator
Dave Barram was appointed Administrator of the General Services Administration in March, 1996 by President Clinton. As the number one official, Mr. Barram directs all functions assigned to this independent agency of the executive branch.
GSA has been around since 1949. In a nutshell, GSA houses federal workers and provides products and services to support the important work of government throughout the country. GSA negotiates contracts that account for over $40 billion of goods and services bought annually from the private sector. GSA employs about 14,300 people and has an annual budget of just over $13 billion.
Of GSA, Mr. Barram says, "This is not your father's GSA." Under Vice President Gore's National Performance Review (NPR), GSA has embraced change with energy and enthusiasm and is fundamentally reshaping itself, streamlining the processes and becoming more client focused. Under the NPR, GSA is saving money on new construction, reinventing the space leasing process, getting the best prices on goods and services for our clients, leasing vehicles at low prices with great service, and negotiating low air fares for federal travelers.
Mr. Barram came to GSA from the Department of Commerce, where he had served as Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer since October 1993. While there, he directed the day-to-day operations of the 36,000-person organization. In addition to heading GSA, Mr. Barram is vice chair of the President's Management Council (PMC), made up of the chief operating officers of the executive branch agencies.
A 24-year veteran of Silicon Valley, Mr. Barram played a key role in shaping and implementing the federal government's technology initiatives while in senior positions at Apple Computer, Silicon Graphics, Inc. and Hewlett-Packard. Mr. Barram joined Hewlett-Packard in 1970 and spent 13 years in finance and marketing positions. In 1983, he left the then-80,000-employee HP to become the first Chief Financial Officer at 30-person Silicon Graphics. In April 1985, he joined Apple Computer as the Vice President of Finance and CFO and also held the positions of Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Vice President of Corporate Communications.
Throughout his career, Mr. Barram has been a strong advocate for American industry and workers. In addition, he has been actively involved in education issues, encouraging the use of advanced technology in the classroom and job-based training. He chaired the California Commission of Public School Administration & Leadership, and he continues to serve on the board of the National Center for Education & the Economy, which published the report, America’s Choice: High Skills or Low Wages?
Mr. Barram earned a bachelor of arts degree from Wheaton College in 1965 and holds a master's degree in business administration from Santa Clara University.
From 1966 to 1969, Mr. Barram was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. After receiving his commission in December 1966, Mr. Barram served his active duty aboard two coastal mine sweepers on the East Coast, including his last 18 months as officer-in-charge of the USS Kingbird (MSC-195) in Pensacola, FL.
Mr. Barram and his wife, Joan, live in Washington, D.C. Their son, Ted, works for Digidesign in Palo Alto, California, and their daughter, Diane, is part of the start-up team for a national restaurant chain, Pallino Pastaria, in Seattle, Washingon.
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