In Memoriam: Paul Posner

Paul L. Posner, Professor and Director of the Schar School’s Masters of Public Administration program at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at the age of 75.  He is survived by his wife Arlene, daughter Jenny, and two grandsons.

Dr. Posner joined the faculty of George Mason University in 2005.  Formerly, he was the Managing Director for Strategic Issues at the US General Accounting Office (GAO) for 14 years.  At the GAO, where he worked for more than 30 years, he was responsible for work on the federal budget and intergovernmental fiscal policy and management.  As Dr. Posner once stated, “We enter our profession not because it is easy, but because it is hard. When the going gets tough, it is our business to rise to the challenge.”

From 2010-2011, Dr. Posner was the President of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).  Janice Lachance, the current president of ASPA, said upon learning of Dr. Posner’s passing, “Paul was one of the best people I have ever known and one of the best that public administration has to offer. He was a steadfast friend, an extraordinarily dedicated public servant and he will be missed.”

Read the full article on George Mason University’s website.