Brett Blanton

Last updated

Brett Blanton
Brett Blanton official photo.jpg
Architect of the Capitol
In office
January 16, 2020 –February 13, 2023
Preceded by Stephen T. Ayers
Personal details
Education
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1993–2015
Unit Civil Engineer Corps

Brett Blanton is an American professional engineer who served as Architect of the Capitol (AOC) from January 2020 until February 13, 2023, overseeing the office of the Architect of the Capitol and its more than 2,400 employees. [1]

Contents

President Biden relived Blanton from his position after a inspector general report alleged "administrative and policy violations" by Blanton. [2] [3]

Education and career

Blanton earned his Master of Science from Virginia Tech in ocean engineering and his Bachelor of Science in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1993. [4] He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in civil engineering and a Certified Energy Manager.

Blanton served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps for 22 years. [5] He retired from the Navy in 2015. He then served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. [6]

Architect of the Capitol

President Donald Trump nominated Blanton on December 9, 2019, for a ten-year term as Architect of the Capitol. [7] On December 12, 2019, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on his nomination. On December 16, 2019, the Committee reported his nomination favorably to the Senate floor. On December 19, 2019, the full Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote. [1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020. [8]

The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, including the U.S. Capitol, House and Senate Office Buildings, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Botanic Garden and the Capitol Arboretum.

Time in office

Blanton significantly transformed the management of AOC by implementing Enterprise Asset Management to utilize objective data-driven prioritization of projects in the legislative budgeting process, established the first building codes and certifying official in the Legislative and Judicial Branches, established AOC University to provide training for staff, and oversaw implementation a robust human capital strategy.

In November 2022, a report from the office of the Inspector General alleged that Blanton's underage daughter took his vehicle and drove recklessly at a Walmart in Tyson's Corner. [9] The report also alleged Blanton's wife gave tours of the U.S. Capitol. [10]

As a result, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, an omnibus spending bill, included a clause in the AOC budget "That none of the funds appropriated or made available under this heading in this Act or any other Act, including previous Acts, may be used for a home-to-work vehicle for the Architect or a duly authorized designee". [11] On February 13, 2023, President Joe Biden rescinded Blanton's appointment as Architect of the Capitol. [2]

Awards

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References

  1. 1 2 "PN1324 - Nomination of J. Brett Blanton for Congress of the United States, 116th Congress (2019-2020)". www.congress.gov. December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Biden Fires Architect Of The Capitol Over Alleged Abuse Of Power". HuffPost. February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  3. ↑ Williamson, Elizabeth (June 7, 2023). "$1 Billion Federal Agency Seeks a Boss Who Will Show Up for Work". The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Airport engineer nominated to be next Architect of the Capitol in Washington, D.C." Archinect. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  5. ↑ "J. Brett Blanton Nominated as Architect of the Capitol". www.architectmagazine.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  6. ↑ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individuals to Key Administration Posts". whitehouse.gov . Retrieved December 20, 2019– via National Archives.
  7. ↑ "Three Nominations Sent to the Senate". whitehouse.gov . Retrieved December 20, 2019– via National Archives.
  8. ↑ "12th Architect of the Capitol Sworn In". Architect of the Capitol. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  9. ↑ Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Inspector General. 2021-0011-INVI-P – J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol, Abused His Authority, Misused Government Property and Wasted Taxpayer Money, Among Other Substantiated Violations.
  10. ↑ Wild, Whitney. "Federal watchdog accuses Architect of the Capitol of ethics violations over offer to give ‘patriots’ tours", CNN. November 1, 2022.
  11. ↑ H.R.2617 (PDF). US Senate. 2022. p. 1164. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  12. ↑ Marquette, Chris (December 12, 2019). "J. Brett Blanton on track to become next architect of the Capitol" . Retrieved December 20, 2019.
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