Following decades of experience in retail and hospitality management, Nichole Thiel started her career as an education administrator and athletic director. After taking a hiatus from teaching to care for her ailing mother, Nichole Thiel took on a position with the United States Postal Service (USPS). The USPS is one of the country’s longest-running government agencies. It is managed by a nine-member, presidentially-appointed Board of Governors who go on to elect the head of the agency, the Postmaster General. The Board is responsible for drafting and implementing agency-wide policies that cover services, pricing, and expenses. Since 2006, all Governors are restricted to serving two seven-year terms. Due to a 2016 political gridlock that prevented the nomination of new Governors, all nine positions remained unfilled for nearly two years. While the USPS was able to perform its basic duties of mail delivery, without Governors, it was unclear how the agency could implement any larger changes or policies. Between 2019 and 2020, seven vacancies were filled.

1. The Role of the USPS Board of
Governors
Nichole Thiel

2. Introduction
Following decades of experience in retail and hospitality management, Nichole Thiel
started her career as an education administrator and athletic director. After taking a
hiatus from teaching to care for her ailing mother, Nichole Thiel took on a position
with the United States Postal Service (USPS).

3. The USPS is one of the country’s longest-running government agencies. It is
managed by a nine-member, presidentially-appointed Board of Governors who go
on to elect the head of the agency, the Postmaster General. The Board is
responsible for drafting and implementing agency-wide policies that cover services,
pricing, and expenses. Since 2006, all Governors are restricted to serving two seven-
year terms.

4. Due to a 2016 political gridlock that prevented the nomination of new Governors, all
nine positions remained unfilled for nearly two years. While the USPS was able to
perform its basic duties of mail delivery, without Governors, it was unclear how the
agency could implement any larger changes or policies. Between 2019 and 2020,
seven vacancies were filled.