Retired Army Colonel Becomes GPO Deputy Director
WASHINGTON —U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) Director Hugh Nathanial
Halpern has named Brian Pearl as the Agency’s Deputy Director. In this role, Pearl will
serve in the Agency’s second highest-ranking position as its Chief Operating Officer. In
addition to other responsibilities, Pearl will oversee GPO’s operations division, which
includes Plant Operations, Security and Intelligent Documents, Official Journals of
Government, and Customer Services. These business units are responsible for GPO’s most
important products including the U.S. passport, Congressional Record, Federal Register,
White House print materials, secure Federal credentials, and other congressional and
executive branch products and services.
“Brian brings to GPO a wealth of operations leadership, strategic planning, and personnel
management experience from his years in the U.S. Army,” said GPO Director Hugh
Nathanial Halpern. “I’m confident in Brian’s ability to lead our operations in line with our
values, mission, and vision and look forward to working with him.”
Pearl retired from the United States Army as a Colonel after 30 years of service in 2020.
Prior to joining GPO in July 2024, Pearl served as Director for Policy and Plans at the
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). In this capacity Pearl led strategic planning
and foreign engagement for DPAA, which investigates, recovers, and identifies missing
service members from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War.
During his military service, Pearl served in various combat and operational assignments
outside the United States, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring
Freedom in Afghanistan (twice) as both a Battalion and Brigade Commander leading
soldiers in those efforts. He has collaborated with high-level officials in foreign countries
and in the United States to achieve objectives and develop partnerships and has managed
budgets of more than $70 million. He also served as special assistant and action officer to
the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Pearl achieved numerous honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, three
Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart.
Originally from Canton, Missouri, Pearl earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeast
Missouri State University, a master’s degree in Administration from Central Michigan
University, and a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the
National War College.
GPO is the Federal Government’s resource for publishing trusted information for the Federal Government to the American people. The GPO is responsible for the production
and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal
Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official
publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies in digital and print
formats. GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through
www.GovInfo.gov and partnerships with approximately 1,100 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program. For more information, please visit
www.gpo.gov.
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