The U.S. Postal Service will have a new leader next month, with its governing board selecting an ally of President Trump outside the postal system but with decades of experience in the logistics sector.
Louis DeJoy will serve as the 75th postmaster general beginning June 15, replacing Megan Brennan. DeJoy has previously worked with the Postal Service as CEO of New Breed Logistics, a company that handles supply chain issues and transportation support. He also is a significant donor to Trump and the Republican Party. Unlike Brennan and her two predecessors dating back to 2001, DeJoy is not a career postal employee.
DeJoy will take over the Postal Service at a tumultuous time for the agency, which has seen more than a decade of declining mail volume and profits. Its financial problems have been exacerbated by a steep drop off in revenue due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The USPS board of governors recently voted to request from Congress $75 billion in financing to help make up for the shortfall. More than 2,000 postal employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and 46 have died from related symptoms.