Dear Mr. Hamster,

          Thank you for contacting me about the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors nominees. As a former Navy pilot, combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut, it is an honor to continue my service to our country representing Arizona in the United States Senate. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on the issues facing our state and our country. Hearing from Arizonans helps me better serve our state, and I hope you will continue to share your perspective and suggestions.

          Many Arizonans depend on the USPS for quick and efficient mail delivery to get them essential items such as checks, bills, court documents, mail in ballots, or prescription medication. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges within the USPS, Americans are facing unprecedented mail delivery delays. These disruptions have led many to raise concerns about the urgent need for the United States Senate to consider President Biden’s nominations to fill the USPS Board of Governors vacancies. As Senator for Arizona, I am committed to finding solutions that will improve mail service for Arizonans.

          On February 25, 2021, President Biden announced the nominations of Anton Hajjar, Amber McReynolds, and Ron Stroman to the USPS Board of Governors. Anton Hajjar previously served as general counsel for the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, and has legally represented numerous unions and union workers. Mr. Hajjar also served as an advisor and pro bono attorney in employment discrimination cases and continues to work with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

          Amber McReynolds is the current CEO of the non-profit non-partisan National Vote at Home Institute that has expanded and improved vote-by-mail systems in all 50 states. She is also the former Director of Elections for the city of Denver, Colorado. Ms. McReynolds’ work in creating a program for ballot tracking, reporting, and communication made voting by mail more secure and accountable. 

          Ron Stroman previously served as the Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Governmental Relations Officer for the USPS, and has served in multiple staff roles in the House of Representatives. Mr. Stroman previously worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation and was an attorney for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

          The nomination hearings of Mr. Hajjar, Ms. McReynolds, and Mr. Stroman were held by the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on April 22, 2021. On May 12, 2021, the Senate voted to confirm the nominations of Mr. Stroman and Ms. McReynolds to the USPS Board of Governors. On May 28, 2021, the Senate voted to confirm Mr. Hajjar. 

          All Arizonans can agree on the vital need for USPS services to be timely, efficient, and cost-effective. As with all nominees, I considered Mr. Hajjar, Ms. McReynolds, and Mr. Stroman based on their qualifications and vision for carrying out the mission of the agency they were nominated to serve. I supported these three nominations and look forward to working with the USPS Board of Governors and my colleagues in the United States Senate, Republican and Democrat, to ensure an efficient postal service for all Americans.

          Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue, and I hope you will continue to contact my office with any future comments or questions. I’m committed to being transparent and accountable with all Arizonans, which is why I release my official Senate schedule at kelly.senate.gov. There you can also sign up for my newsletter, receive assistance with a federal agency, and learn more about my work as Arizona’s senator.

Sincerely,

Mark Kelly
United States Senator