/Michael Rigas Takes Over as Acting Chief of the General Services Administration

Michael Rigas Appointed as Acting Chief of the GSA

In a significant leadership shift, President Donald Trump has appointed Michael Rigas as the acting chief of the General Services Administration (GSA), marking Rigas's third role within the agency. This announcement came from the GSA on Monday.

Rigas, who recently served in the State Department as the deputy secretary for management and resources, will bring his extensive experience from both the public and private sectors to his new position. Marianne Copenhaver, associate administrator for the GSA, emphasized the importance of Rigas’s background, stating, “We’re thrilled to have his institutional knowledge, leadership, and decades of experience in the private and public sector.” Under Rigas's guidance, the GSA is expected to maintain its efficient delivery of government services in areas such as real estate and technology.

Stephen Ehikian, a former Salesforce vice president and current acting administrator, will now return to his role as deputy administrator. Ehikian has a reputation for entrepreneurship and has been leading the GSA since January.

Rigas's prior roles highlight his deep involvement in federal operations, having overseen layoffs at the State Department and managed the America First Policy Institute’s Presidential Transition Project. Additionally, he contributed as a senior adviser for the Trump-Vance 2025 transition, crafting departmental action plans and training programs for appointees, as per the GSA’s online biography.

During Trump's initial term, Rigas held various positions, including at the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget, and served as acting federal chief information officer. His private sector background includes stints at Mellon Financial Corporation and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Rigas boasts a strong academic background with a master’s in public administration from Harvard University, in addition to bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Boston University. There is currently no confirmation on whether he will retain his other role at the State Department, with no immediate response available to FedScoop's inquiries.

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