NSF appoints Micah Cheatham as chief management officer

Today, the U.S. National Science Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Micah Cheatham as chief management officer (CMO). In this role, Cheatham will serve as principal advisor to the NSF director and deputy director on agency operations, business activities, financial management and strategic initiatives, ensuring effective communication and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

"Micah brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership to NSF," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "We are confident that his strategic insights and management acumen will play a crucial role in advancing NSF's goals and achieving sustained success."

Since October 2016, Cheatham has served as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) chief of management and administration, providing advice to the head of the agency on all management and administrative functions. He led the development of an agencywide strategic plan to modernize the agency while embracing both its goals and the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Additionally, he successfully led NARA's agencywide response to the coronavirus throughout the pandemic and managed the reentry into the workplace.

Prior to this appointment, he served as NARA's chief financial officer. Cheatham has also held the position of director of budget for the U.S. General Services Administration and has served in financial management roles at the Internal Revenue Service.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the vital mission of NSF. I look forward to supporting agency programs and the workforce with unified and responsive business operations," said Cheatham.

Cheatham has a bachelor's degree in economics from the London School of Economics and a master's degree in applied economics from the University of Michigan.

Cheatham will begin his CMO appointment July 15, 2024.