Washington, DC-When Public Printer of the United States Bruce James walked in the door at the Government Printing Office (GPO) a year ago, he found there was one woman in a senior leadership role and just a handful in other top management positions. Today, through the agency's transformation efforts, the number of women executives at the GPO has jumped from a total of 15 in 2003 to 26 in 2004, an increase of 73%. "As we transform the agency into a state-of-the-art information distribution facility, we are looking at workforce development and training practices that move the agency and its dedicated and loyal workforce forward into the future," said Robert Carr, Chief Human Capital Officer. "This is an exciting time at the GPO, a time of change and new opportunities for men, women and people with disabilities." President George W. Bush designated March as Women's History Month, and the theme this year is "Women Inspiring Hope and Possibility." In celebration of Women's History Month, the GPO hosted a panel presentation today at which five top female agency executives participated in a candid, lively and empowering discussion. The panel participants included Judy Russell, Superintendent of Documents; Nadine Elzy, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity; Veronica Meter, Director of Public Relations; Jackie Goff, Deputy Inspector General; and Renee Rosa, Supervisory IT Specialist. Travis Horel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State moderated the discussion. The event's special guest was Nora James, wife of Public Printer Bruce James. Panel participants and the moderator shared with an audience of about 200 their thoughts on the characteristics of a successful person, the importance of mentoring, opportunities at the GPO during the transformation, and secrets for a successful career.