Robert Ashworth
Bob is the Deputy Assistant Director for Business Management and Operations (BMO). He supports the Assistant Director in providing executive leadership in the operational review and management of national administrative programs and polices to ensure effective business administration for the Service. The functional areas include financial management, engineering, economics, safety and health and contracting and facilities management. Prior to his selection for the Deputy position, Bob was the Service’s Bureau Procurement Chief and the Chief, Division of Contracting and Facilities Management in the Washington Office. In this position, he directed national policy development and operational support for acquisition, financial assistance, personal property, fleet, leased space and Government quarters. Bob has also been heavily involved in a number of IT systems implementations and leveraging automation to gain operational efficiencies. He was the Service’s system owner for the Interior Department Electronic Acquisition System (IDEAS), used by over 1,300 Service employees nationwide, and the Personal Property Management System (PPMS).
Since 1985, Bob has worked for the Federal Government in the metro DC area in a variety of business management positions. He joined the Service in 1999. Prior to that, he was a senior Grants Management Analyst with the Corporation for National Service, a Federal grant-making agency. Previous experience also includes 13 years with the U.S. Geological Survey with a variety of responsibilities in their acquisition and grants office. He received the Department’s Superior Service Award for his accomplishments at USGS. Throughout his career, Bob has served on a number of national workgroups, teams and special projects. He recently served as the Chairman of the Department’s Acquisition Managers Partnership. Bob strives to deliver business services to support the mission as effectively and efficiently as possible and enjoys exploring streamlined and innovative ways to accomplish those services.
Bob’s education includes a Master of Science in Administration from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont and a Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. He received his Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in history from the State University of New York. Bob is a strong advocate for life-long learning and continues to take various graduate classes at local universities. He holds a special interest in history and tries to be eclectic in his reading.