![FILE: Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe To Retire Head Of US Postal Service Holds News Conference On Cost-Cutting Measures COO and Executive Vice President of U.S. Postal Service Megan Brennan listens to questions from the media after a news conference on Sept. 15, 2011 at the headquarters of the U.S. Postal Service in Washington.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/megan-brennan2.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
The United States Postal Service has selected its first-ever female Postmaster General, the agency announced Friday, following the upcoming retirement of its current head.
Megan Brennan, who rose from a letter carrier in Pennsylvania in 1986 to chief operating officer in late 2010, will take over for Patrick Donahoe, who previously announced he would step down in February after 39 years with the service.
“She is highly regarded throughout the Postal Service and among the broader community of our major customers and business partners—and rightly so,” said Mickey Barnett, chairman of the Postal Service Board of Governors, of Brennan. “As the head of operations, Megan has led important initiatives to provide Sunday delivery services, improved tracking, and greater predictability and reliability.”
USPS has around 491,000 employees, roughly 220,000 fewer than a decade ago, as it continues to transition into an increasingly paperless age. While USPS operating revenue increased $569 million this fiscal year, the agency suffered a $5.5 billion net loss.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race , Endorses Harris to Replace Him
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Stop Feeling Bad About Sweating
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com