BIZ Online NGLCC

When the next president takes office in January 2009, whether it is Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama, the first thing he is going to need is a cadre of talented employees to keep the government running.

So important—and politically critical—is the process of finding able staff that the line for appointments to key departments, agencies and commissions is already forming.

And there is one LGBT group—the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute (GLLI)—that doesn't want to leave the appointments process to chance, and is determined to make sure that LGBT business leaders, administrators and executives also get a shot at coveted posts in the next administration.

"LGBT Americans are ready to help lead the country, and this project is one way we can demonstrate the amazing talent available to the next president from within our community," says Denis Dison, vice president of external affairs at GLLI. "What happens inside the executive branch affects every American, including LGBT Americans, so it's important that our voices are included."

The Presidential Appointments Project will serve as a talent bank for openly LGBT professionals seeking appointments in the next presidential administration.

"I think this is an excellent opportunity for LGBT business leaders who are interested in public service," says Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. "For people interested in making a difference and making a contribution to their government, this is a great way to get vetted and be at the front of the line."

The NGLCC also will be making recommendations to the next administration's transition team as it looks for qualified candidates to fill key positions.

This isn't the first time the GLLI has helped fill presidential appointment slots. Back in 1997, at the Clinton Administration's request, GLLI identified qualified LGBT professionals who were looking to become civil servants.

This year, the institute, which was founded 15 years ago as an educational and research organization by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, decided to be proactive, and launched early last winter a more organized effort to look for qualified LGBT officeholders.

While many believe there will be far more positions available in an Obama administration than a McCain administration for LGBT professionals, others say that whoever gets elected will be looking for the highest qualified and the most talented individuals, regardless of sexual orientation.

GLLI has established its own stringent selection process to guide its review. Once candidates have passed the test internally, then they are recommended to the presidential transition staff. The GLLI has 10 teams of experienced professionals to review applications, and they form part of the institute's executive selection coalition.

Dison said it's important for applicants to consider whether they're truly interested in working for the executive branch, and weigh their willingness to live with the long hours, intense pace and in-depth background checks that come with presidential appointments. Yet, he noted, these positions often come with the power to influence policies at every level of the federal government.

Interested candidates can submit their resumes with an application (found here) to the GLLI, which will then present applications approved by its selection committees to the president-elect's transition team.