WASHINGTON, D.C. - Postmaster General John E. Potter announced the appointment of Ralph J. Moden as Vice President, Strategic Planning and Robert J. Pedersen as Vice President, Treasurer. Moden, a 27-year postal veteran, will report directly to Potter, and will be responsible for coordinating the development of plans and analyses contributing to the establishment of the strategic direction of the Postal Service. He will also oversee the development of the Comprehensive Transformation Plan, which is due to Congress April 5. "Ralph is uniquely suited to the challenges of his new role," Potter said. "Numerous field and headquarters positions have provided Ralph with substantial knowledge of in-plant distribution operations and customer mail preparation requirements." Moden has an extensive background in Operations and has served in numerous field and headquarters positions which have provided him with a substantial knowledge of in-plant distribution operations and customer mail preparation requirements. He also coordinated the development of mail preparation requirements for classification reform and previous rate cases. Moden is a graduate of the University of Maryland and holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Marketing and Finance. He also has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and Administration from George Mason University Pedersen, a 14-year postal veteran, reports to the Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for managing the Postal Service's cash flows and debt. In addition, Pedersen will also oversee Bank Secrecy Act compliance, business evaluation activities and the new audit response function within Finance. Prior to this appointment, Pedersen served as the assistant treasurer for financing and cash management. "Bob did an outstanding job managing our cash and debt," noted Potter, "and he forged key strategic relationships with financial service providers both in the government and in the private sector. Largely due to his efforts, we have implemented award-winning financing practices within the Postal Service." Pedersen has an extensive background in finance, having worked as an economist, investment officer and debt manager in previous positions. From 1983 to 1987, he worked as an investment officer in the Postal Service, helping to manage a portfolio of U.S. Treasury securities. From 1987 to 1992, Pedersen was the chief investment officer for the U.S. Army Banking and Investment Fund, managing a $600 million portfolio of government securities. Returning to the Postal Service in 1992 as the debt portfolio manager, he became chief investment officer in November, 1992, and in 1994 was named assistant treasurer for financing and cash management. Pedersen holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the College of William and Mary and a master's degree in economics from George Mason University.