Career Postal Official Expected to Head Agency

Career postal executive John E. Potter is expected to be named the next postmaster general.

Industry speculation has focused on Potter, and postal sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the choice Saturday.

Both the Assn. for Postal Commerce and Direct Marketing News were reporting Potter’s probable selection. The Postal Service is expected to make the formal announcement Monday.

Postal officials had no immediate comment on the report Saturday.

The postmaster general is chosen by the nine-member board that runs the post office. The job does not require Senate confirmation.

Potter would succeed William J. Henderson, who is leaving office at the end of May after three years at the helm of the massive agency.

Currently, the post office’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, Potter would take over a troubled agency but he is familiar with its problems.

After raising rates in January, the post office recently announced an additional increase in many charges to take effect July 1, citing a growing deficit that could top $2 billion this year. The July increases will not raise the 34-cent first-class rate.

The post office does not receive tax money for its operations and is expected to break even over time.

The agency also has instituted a hiring freeze and halted work on hundreds of construction projects in an effort to save money.

Potter, a 23-year postal veteran, is responsible for national mail delivery operations in his current post. Previously, he has held other top management jobs, including supervising labor relations.

He began his postal career as a clerk in New York.