New deputy postmaster general named

WASHINGTON, April 12 (UPI) -- A 29-year postal employee has been named the 18th deputy postmaster general of the U.S. Postal Service, officials announced Tuesday.

The appointee, Patrick Donahoe, has been chief operating officer and executive vice president of the Postal Service since 2001. He was instrumental in helping the organization achieve record levels of service, improve the workplace environment, and stay on track for a sixth straight year of productivity gains, according to Postmaster General John Potter.

"The combination of Pat's performance, experience and commitment to the continued transformation and success of the Postal Service makes him uniquely suited to this important new role," said Potter at a news conference in Washington.

In his new position, Donahoe will serve as a member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, while maintaining responsibility for those activities performed by the chief operating officer -- mail processing, transportation and delivery, field operations, engineering, delivery and retail, facilities and network operations.