Charles A. Self previously was President of The Self Group, L.L.C., a consulting practice focused on helping companies grow their information technology business in the Federal space. He formed this company upon his retirement from the Federal government in 2003.
Mr. Self’s retirement marked the end of a 34-year profession as a public civil servant. He began his career as an Air Force Lieutenant and quickly rose to the rank of Captain. He moved into civilian public service with the Air Force, and later with the Department of Veterans Affairs, before joining the General Services Administration in 1985.
From January 1986 until March 2000, Mr. Self served in several positions of increasing responsibility including Assistant Commissioner for Information Technology Solutions (ITS) of the Federal Technology Service; Deputy Assistant Commissioner for ITS; and Director of the Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM). From March 1980 to June 1983, Mr. Self served as principal Technical Advisor to the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Data Management and Telecommunications of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Mr. Self was Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Technology Service (FTS) from March 2000 until his retirement in July 2003. FTS is the General Services Administration’s organization that acquires information technology and telecommunications products and services for federal agencies and departments, approximately $8 billion in 2003.
Mr. Self has received numerous awards for his work in establishing and operating “intra-governmental businesses” and promoting and fostering the concept of entrepreneurial government. Mr. Self received GSA’s Meritorious Service Award, the agency’s second-highest award, for his work with FEDSIM. Mr. Self has received many honors for the differences he made in the way agencies and companies develop, acquire, and manage information technology in the federal IT community.
Mr. Self received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science in Mathematics from St. Mary’s University. He completed a year of doctoral work in computer science at Ohio State University. He served as an officer in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1972, leaving as a Captain.