Anna Maria Ortiz (PhD, U-M Political Science, 2003) has received the Arthur S. Flemming Award. Established by the Washington D.C. Downtown Jaycees in 1948, the Flemming Awards honor outstanding federal employees with 3-15 years of federal service for their exceptional contributions to the federal government. Awardees were selected based on their work performance and factors such as leadership, contributions to society and potential for continued excellence.
The award is named after quintessential public servant Arthur S. Flemming, who served in government for more than six decades spanning seven administrations, including service as the secretary of health, education and welfare under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Dr. Flemming was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 1994.
Anna Maria Ortiz is a director in the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Natural Resources and Environment Issues team and has been a key force behind GAO studies that have yielded billions in taxpayer savings and improved vital government programs and services. She leads efforts to transform how GAO audits tribal and Native American issues by bridging organizational silos and forging external partnerships to better serve Congress and, ultimately, improve federal activities essential to the wellbeing of the American people.
