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Federal Executive Institute
About FEI

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How can I learn about FEI programs?

FEI’s programs are designed to help Federal executives improve the performance of their agencies. The programs and their points of contact are:

  • Leadership for a Democratic Society - POC: Terry Stotts

    FEI’s four week leadership development program for Federal executives

  • Interagency Courses - POC: Dale Fruchtnicht

    FEI’s two-day to one–week courses focused on specific leadership issues

  • Custom Programs - POC: Karen Kimmel or Claudia Lowe

    FEI’s single agency sessions designed to meet specific organizational needs

What are the grade levels of the government executives who participate in FEI programs?

FEI programs are designed for U.S. government Senior Executive Service members and GS-15 executives, their equivalents in other pay systems, and senior state, local, or international government leaders. Custom activities sometimes include participants and team members at other levels. GS-14 Federal employees (and equivalents in other pay systems) who have executive-level duties can request a waiver to participate in an Interagency Course.

Who leads FEI programs?

FEI’s faculty members have experience and credentials in a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to education, political science, behavioral science, international affairs, economics, public administration, and adult education.

The FEI faculty includes up to twelve senior faculty members who are resident faculty at FEI and approximately 150 adjunct faculty members who participate in programs on an “as needed” basis.

How can I register and pay for FEI programs?

U.S. government participants in FEI arrange their attendance in the following ways:

  • Leadership for a Democratic Society - POC: Terry Stotts

    Contact your agency training office. FEI sells all Leadership for a Democratic Society spaces to agency training representatives prior to the start of each fiscal year. Your training office staff works with Terry Stotts to complete the registration.

  • Interagency Courses - POC: Joyce Reedy

    Complete an S.F. 182 and registration form (click to it from the course description on this site) and fax it to 304-870-8078.

  • Custom Programs - POC: Karen Kimmel or Claudia Lowe

What if I need to cancel my course registration?

Work with your agency training office.

FEI terminates acceptance of nominations or substitutions four weeks prior to each Leadership for a Democratic Society session. The Institute does not refund charges if agencies cancel attendance or fail to fill purchased slots. Your training staff can work with Terry Stotts to explore options.

FEI cannot refund your tuition for an Interagency Course if you cancel within four weeks of the course start date. Your agency is responsible for sending a qualified substitute in your place. Please notify Joyce Reedy of any issues regarding attendance as early as possible.

What is included in the tuition?

For programs delivered at FEI in Charlottesville (including all Leadership for a Democratic Society sessions), tuition includes all educational services, materials, meals, and lodging. Meal service includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and break service (coffee, tea, juice, fruit and morning and afternoon snacks).

All educational services and materials are included in the tuition for programs delivered away from the FEI campus. Inclusion of lodging and some meals varies. Please see individual program descriptions for details.

Can I receive reimbursement for travel, incidental, and other expenses while participating in an FEI program?

Participants and their agencies are responsible for travel to and from FEI’s Charlottesville campus (or other program site). Please work with your agency to determine whether you can claim any additional per diem for incidental or other expenses.

How and when will I receive the schedule for my program?

FEI emails a weekly schedule to participants in the Leadership for a Democratic Society program approximately three weeks before the program start date.

For Interagency Courses, FEI emails a schedule to participants three weeks before the program start date.

Where do I stay at the Federal Executive Institute?

Leadership for a Democratic Society participants stay in guest rooms on campus. FEI provides accommodations at nearby hotels for some participants in Interagency Courses and Custom Programs.

Do I need a rental car?

You do not need a rental car to participate in any FEI program activity. While shuttle service is provided for Interagency Course and Custom Program participants staying off campus, some off campus residents might prefer to have a rental car.

There is a shopping center with a wide range of stores and other services (Post Office, dry cleaning, bank, drug store, etc.) within walking distance of the FEI campus.

What cultural, recreational and entertainment options are available in the Charlottesville area?

For more information, review the following links:

Does the FEI campus provide internet access?

WiFi access is available throughout the campus. There are also several computer work stations with internet access for program participants. Printers, photocopiers, and other business services are also available.

How can people contact me at FEI?

FEI's main telephone number is 434-980-6200. Callers should use it for emergencies at any time.

Callers can also dial participants’ bedroom telephone (number is on them). The telephones are equipped with voice mail.

The U.S. Postal Service provides daily incoming and outgoing mail service.

Correspondents should address you at:

Your Name
Federal Executive Institute
1301 Emmet Street
Room ___
Charlottesville, VA 22903-4899

Can a spouse or guest accompany me during FEI programs?

Visitors are not permitted during delivery of FEI programs.

Leadership for a Democratic Society program participants can host visitors in their FEI bedrooms during non-working weekends. There is no charge for guests staying in participant bedrooms. Meals for guests are available but participants must pay for them.

May I bring a pet?

No pets are allowed on the FEI campus.

How will my special diet needs or physical challenges be accommodated?

Please let us know of any special needs or accommodations. We will work with you to make the needed arrangements. Here are your contacts:

What is the dress code?

FEI recommends “business casual” clothes during class sessions and while interacting with colleagues. Please see this Wikipedia article for guidance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_casual.

Exceptions include Leadership for a Democratic Society program graduations and some off-campus site visits, which require business dress (e.g., suit and tie for men) and fitness activities, which require appropriate athletic attire.

How can I get to and from the FEI campus?

Please follow this link to our location and travel information page.

What is the weather like?

Please check the National Weather Service website for current weather information and forecasts in the Charlottesville area.

What exercise and fitness facilities are available?

FEI’s Fitness Center is equipped with strength and aerobic equipment. Space and equipment for stretching, yoga, and other fitness activities is also available. Participants in FEI programs can use Wii consoles, equipment for lawn sports (e.g., badminton) and bicycles. There is a small outdoor swimming pool on campus.

What are the weekend schedules for the Leadership for a Democratic Society Program?

The first weekend of each Leadership for a Democratic Society program is a “working weekend” requiring attendance on Saturday and Sunday.

There are no program activities scheduled during the second and third weekend of the seven standard Leadership for a Democratic Society programs offered each year. Program activities end at noon on Friday and resume Monday morning for these sessions.

There are no free weekends during the three Applied Learning programs (two weeks in residence, approximately six weeks in the office, two weeks in residence) scheduled each year.

Contact Information

Name Title Program Phone # Email
Terry Stotts Registrar Leadership Democratic Society 434-980-6232 terry.stotts2@opm.gov
Joyce Reedy Customer Service Office Interagency 304-870-8008 joyce.reedy@opm.gov
Dale Fruchtnicht Program Management Specialist Interagency 434-980-6278 dale.fruchtnicht@opm.gov
Karen Kimmel Account Manager Custom 434-980-6230 karen.kimmel@opm.gov
Claudia Lowe Account Manager Custom 434-961-6403 claudia.lowe@opm.gov