Passing of a Director of the Federal Register

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Fred Emery, the third Director of the Federal Register. Mr Emery’s tenure, from 1970-1979, was one of the most creative and innovative periods in the history of the Office of the Federal Register (OFR).  Not only did he initiate the changes that resulted in the current formatting of Federal Register documents, but he effectively reached out to the highest levels of the Federal Government to promote regularization in rulemaking and plain language. He also began an outreach and public workshop program to familiarize the public with the Federal Register system.  During his tenure, the OFR began its entry into the world of automated publishing  Prior to serving as Director of the Federal Register (OFR), Mr. Emery worked as a regulatory lawyer for the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation. 

The fourth Director of the Federal Register, John E. (Jeb) Byrnes passed away November 17, 2011. John served as Director from 1981-1989.

Past Directors include:

1.  Major Bernard R. Kennedy (1935-1959)
2. David C. Eberhardt, Jr. (1959-1970)
3. Fred Emery (1970-1979)*
4. John E. (Jeb) Byrne (1981-1989)
5. Martha Girard (1989-1995)
6. Richard Claypoole (1995-1997)
7. Raymond A. Mosley (1997-2011)
8. Charley Barth (2012-2014)

With only 8 directors since 1935, there have been more people who have walked on the moon than held the title of Director of the Federal Register.

* 1980 Director Position vacant