Deputy Commissioner Wins National Public Service Award

Michael J. Murphy, Deputy Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, has won a 1991 National Public Service Award.

The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) present up to five awards annually in recognition of outstanding public management at all levels of government -- local, state, federal and international. Murphy will receive his award on March 25, 1991, at the ASPA national conference in Washington.

As the Deputy Commissioner, Murphy is the IRS' highest ranking career official, with responsibility for the day-to-day management of the most efficient and effective tax administration system in the world. He is the top policy advisor to the Commissioner, helping to shape the major policy decisions that determine the direction of the agency and the federal tax administration system.

Since becoming Deputy Commissioner, Murphy has brought a managerial style to the IRS that recognizes the challenges the agency faces and a willingness to meet challenges head done. He has guided the IRS through key organizational changes that will determine how the agency does its job into the 21st century.

Some of Murphy's achievements include:

• Advocacy of IRS' Tax Systems Modernization (TSM) -- a multi-billion dollar effort to update IRS' computer systems spanning the next ten years. The importance of TSM is reflected in its designation as one of the president's Manage- ment Objectives.

• Supporting efforts to promote the cultural diversity of IRS and move women and minorities to greater prominence in top management and executive ranks.

• Leading the agency's commitment to quality by negotiating the landmark IRS/National Treasury Employees Union Joint Quality Improvement Process and the creation of a new executive position -- The Assistant to the Commissioner for Quality.

• Championing the IRS strategic planning process which results in setting five-year goals and agency-wide objectives to meet those goals.

Murphy began his IRS career in 1962 as a revenue agent in Milwaukee. After holding several mid-level management positions, he was chosen in 1973 for the IRS Executive Selection and Development Program.

Upon completing the program, Murphy was appointed Assistant Director of the Office of International Operations in Washington. He later served as Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner at the National Office; District Director in Des Moines, Iowa; and District Director in Atlanta. Before becoming Senior Deputy Commissioner in 1987, Murphy was Regional Commissioner of the Mid-Atlantic Region located in Philadelphia.

A native of Green Bay, Wis., Murphy earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Spencerian College in Milwaukee. He was also chosen to attend Harvard's Advanced Management PRogram and completed the training in 1984. In 1987, Murphy was presented with the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award for exceptional performance by executives in the Senior Executive Service. In 1988, President Reagan presented Murphy with the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award.

ASPA is a national association of some 15,000 members dedicated to advancing excellence in public service and promoting its dignity and worth. ASPA supports recognition of public service achievements and strengthens the professional and educational development of its members.

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