Background

Institutional History

The Federal Executive Institute was established in May 1968 by Executive Order of   President Lyndon B. Johnson. Recognizing the increasingly complex challenges facing the United States (U.S.) and its career civil servants, he directed a new organization be created to “increase the capacity of our top civil service executives and professionals.”

 The current site was selected by then Chairman of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, John Macy.  He chose Charlottesville, VA, because it provided a convenient setting close to the nation’s capital yet distant enough to afford the executives an opportunity to leave their official duties behind.  It also offered a serene environment in which to engage in the deep thought which is so essential to adult learning. Later reflecting on his decision, Macy noted: “There was a fundamental need in the federal government for high level personnel to remove themselves from the job, to re-examine themselves in relation to their responsibilities, and to rearticulate their roles as top managers and professionals in the system.”

On October 13, 1968, FEI commenced its first class, an eight-week program comprised of 53 federal executives. Since then, the institute’s flagship program, the LDS program, has evolved significantly, varying in its duration and content, yet never straying from its core purpose. Its objectives remain consistent – as critical now as when first articulated. As summarized in a 1969 article, FEI’s goal is “to broaden the horizons of the participating executives; to deepen their knowledge and perception of the national scene; to bring them up to date on the concerns and activities of Government agencies other than their own; to apprise them of the latest trends in management theory and techniques; and to afford them a place and a time apart from their routine to reflect with stimulation from each other and from the Institute staff upon their roles and responsibilities as leaders.” How these objectives are achieved are addressed in later sections of this handbook.

Facilities History

Originally the Thomas Jefferson, the FEI campus was the first and finest luxury hotel in Charlottesville when it opened in 1951. At the time, it was also only area hotel with a swimming pool, built at the request of actor Elizabeth Taylor (or so local legend goes).

Some of the well-known people who stayed here in the early years included President Harry Truman, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, movie director George Stevenson, and actors Rock Hudson, and Elizabeth Taylor. Ms. Taylor stayed in Room 212— now the Director’s Office. She and other cast and crew members resided at the Inn while shooting scenes for the movie Giant. The filming moved on to Texas, but the big champagne party at the movie’s end was held right here on the campus.

The Thomas Jefferson Inn was a favorite for social events in the mid-1950s. The lobby was the scene of many large weddings where the brides descended the broad staircase, and the receptions that followed were the subject of conversations for weeks.