DOD chief management officer resigns

Pentagon Chief Management Officer Jay Gibson has resigned, according to a Defense Department spokesman.

"On Monday, Nov. 5, Department of Defense Chief Management Officer John H. Gibson II submitted his resignation, effective November 30th," according to a statement from DOD spokesman Lt. Col. Joe Buccino.

Gibson’s resignation follows weeks of speculation he would leave after a report in The Wall Street Journal said he had been fired by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis for failing to perform.

Gibson’s primary effort at DOD involved finding $46 billion in efficiencies over five years. The Government Accountability Office has noted, however, that DOD has yet to demonstrate any savings.

Meanwhile, Lisa Hershman, the deputy chief management officer, will become acting CMO on Dec. 1.

"Mr. Gibson's groundbreaking work as the first-ever DOD Chief Management Officer set conditions for the department's reform initiatives," Buccino said. "His efforts to streamline processes, establish the department's Reform Management Group, and identify significant savings across the department will pay dividends in FY-19."