Louis DeJoy

Louis DeJoy
source
Name	Louis DeJoy
Office	75th United States Postmaster General
Term start	June 15, 2020
Predecessor	Megan Brennan

Louis DeJoy is a renowned American businessman and United States Postmaster General, serving as the 75th Postmaster General of the United States since June 2020, following the tenure of Megan Brennan. DeJoy's appointment was made by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service, which includes members such as John McLeod and Ron Bloom. Prior to his role as Postmaster General, DeJoy was the CEO of New Breed Logistics, a company he founded in 1983 and later sold to XPO Logistics in 2014, with the support of investors like Carl Icahn and Wilbur Ross. DeJoy's business career has been marked by his involvement with various companies, including Belk and Lowe's, and his association with prominent figures like Donald Trump and Mike Pence.

Early life and career

DeJoy was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and grew up in New Jersey, where he attended Colgate University and later graduated from Stetson University. After completing his education, DeJoy began his career in the logistics industry, working for companies like IBM and Xerox. In 1983, DeJoy founded New Breed Logistics, which provided logistics services to companies like Dell and Cisco Systems. Under DeJoy's leadership, New Breed Logistics expanded its operations and became a leading provider of logistics services, working with clients like Amazon and Walmart. DeJoy's success in the logistics industry earned him recognition from organizations like the National Postal Mail Handlers Union and the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Postmaster General tenure

As Postmaster General, DeJoy has overseen the operations of the United States Postal Service (USPS), which includes managing a network of over 40,000 post office locations and a workforce of over 500,000 employees, including members of the American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Letter Carriers. DeJoy has implemented various cost-cutting measures, including reducing overtime pay and limiting mail delivery, which have been met with criticism from lawmakers like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. Despite these challenges, DeJoy has worked to modernize the USPS and improve its services, including the introduction of new postal rates and the expansion of package delivery services, in partnership with companies like UPS and FedEx. DeJoy has also collaborated with other government agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Homeland Security, to address issues like mail fraud and cybersecurity.

Controversies and investigations

DeJoy's tenure as Postmaster General has been marked by controversy, including allegations of conflict of interest and ethics violations, which have been investigated by the House Oversight Committee and the Senate Homeland Security Committee. DeJoy has faced criticism for his handling of mail-in voting during the 2020 United States presidential election, with some lawmakers, including Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, accusing him of attempting to suppress voter turnout. DeJoy has also been criticized for his decision to remove mail sorting machines from post office locations, which some have argued could lead to mail delays and disenfranchisement, particularly in communities served by the National Association of Secretaries of State and the League of United Latin American Citizens. DeJoy has denied any wrongdoing and has stated that his actions are intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the USPS, with the support of organizations like the National Postal Policy Council and the Postal Service Reform Act.

Political activities and donations

DeJoy has been a prominent Republican Party donor, contributing to the campaigns of politicians like Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell. DeJoy has also been a supporter of the Republican National Committee and has attended events like the Republican National Convention. DeJoy's wife, Aldona Wos, is a former United States Ambassador to Estonia and has been involved in various Republican Party activities, including working with the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. DeJoy's political activities have been the subject of controversy, with some critics arguing that his donations and associations could create a conflict of interest in his role as Postmaster General, particularly in relation to the Federal Election Commission and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.

Personal life

DeJoy is married to Aldona Wos, and the couple has two children, Louise DeJoy and Andrew DeJoy. DeJoy is a resident of North Carolina and has been involved in various philanthropic activities, including supporting organizations like the United Way and the American Red Cross. DeJoy has also been recognized for his business achievements, including being named one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine and receiving the Horatio Alger Award from the Horatio Alger Association. DeJoy's personal life has been marked by his association with prominent figures like Rudy Giuliani and Newt Gingrich, and his involvement with organizations like the National Rifle Association and the Chamber of Commerce.