GSA veteran Kempf becomes deputy FAS commissioner

Steve Kempf is set to become the new No. 2 official at the General Services Administration’s Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), GSA said today.

Kempf will be the new deputy FAS commissioner, as Tyree Varnado, the previous deputy, retired Jan. 3, according to a GSA announcement.

Kempf joined GSA in 1992, beginning as a marketing coordinator for the agency's Office of Technology Assistance and the Center for Federal Systems Integration and Management (FEDSIM).

“Steve’s 18 years in FAS gives him an expansive and deep understanding of the program’s customers, stakeholders and employees,” said GSA Acting Administrator Stephen Leeds. “He is the right person to help lead FAS into the new decade.”

Kempf also was the technical chairperson for GSA’s first governmentwide acquisition contract. In January 2000, he became a senior project manager, operations manager and customer services director for Defense Department programs at FEDSIM. Kempf was appointed deputy assistant commissioner for Integrated Technology Services in 2007. In 2008, he was named the assistant commissioner for acquisition management at FAS.

“Steve knows FAS inside and out, and his long history with the organization ensures continuity in our delivery of outstanding service, innovation and value to our customers and the American taxpayer,” FAS Commissioner Jim Williams said.

The deputy commissioner position opened up after Varnado retired after nearly 40 years in the government.