Deputy Archivist of the United States Retires; Successor Appointed
Press Release · Thursday, December 27, 2007

Washington, DC

Washington, DC…Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein has announced the retirement of Lewis Bellardo, Deputy Archivist and Chief of Staff at the National Archives and Records Administration since 1995, effective December 31, 2007. At the same time, he announced that Adrienne C. Thomas would succeed Dr. Bellardo as Deputy Archivist.

“Dr. Bellardo’s devotion to the National Archives and his agency-wide perspective have been invaluable. I am delighted that he has agreed to continue advising the National Archives on projects on a part-time basis after retiring,” Weinstein said. “While we will miss Dr. Bellardo’s insight and wise counsel, I am very pleased that Ms. Thomas has agreed to become Deputy Archivist. She brings an unparalleled dedication and institutional memory to this position, along with an intricate understanding of the budget process. I look forward to working with her as we move forward to implement new and exciting initiatives.”

As Deputy Archivist of the United States, Dr. Bellardo led the visionary redesign of the National Archives records management program for the entire Federal Government, and has been instrumental in establishing and guiding the current Electronic Records Archives (ERA) program. He represented the National Archives externally and led the interagency Electronic Records Work Group, served on the Interagency Committee on Government Information, and participated in the Council of Chief Information Officers of the Federal Government. Dr. Bellardo has also represented the National Archives in the work of international standards bodies, at national and international meetings, and before congressional committees. Before joining the National Archives in 1989, Dr. Bellardo served as the Director of the Georgia Historical Society and as State Archivist and Records Administrator of Kentucky.

Ms. Thomas has served as Assistant Archivist for Administration and Chief Financial Officer since 1994, with responsibility for the agency's financial and budget operations as well as space and security management, procurement, human resources, and the management of both the National Archives Building in Washington DC and the College Park, Maryland facility. She oversaw the successful construction of the College Park facility, renovation of National Archives Building, and the building of a new regional archives facility in Atlanta. Ms. Thomas has been with the National Archives for 37 years, beginning as an archivist trainee in the Office of Presidential Libraries and steadily working her way up in a number of policy and administrative roles.

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For Press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (202) 357-5300.

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