Retired Army Colonel becomes GPO Deputy Director

U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) Director Hugh Nathanial Halpern has named Brian Pearl as the Agency’s Deputy Director. In this role, Pearl will serve in the Agency’s second highest-ranking position as its Chief Operating Officer. In addition to other responsibilities, Pearl will oversee GPO’s operations division, which includes Plant Operations, Security and Intelligent Documents, Official Journals of Government, and Customer Services. These business units are responsible for GPO’s most important products including the U.S. passport, Congressional Record, Federal Register, White House print materials, secure Federal credentials, and other congressional and executive branch products and services.

“Brian brings to GPO a wealth of operations leadership, strategic planning, and personnel management experience from his years in the U.S. Army,” said GPO Director Hugh Nathanial Halpern. “I’m confident in Brian’s ability to lead our operations in line with our values, mission, and vision and look forward to working with him.”

Pearl retired from the United States Army as a Colonel after 30 years of service in 2020. Prior to joining GPO in July 2024, Pearl served as Director for Policy and Plans at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). In this capacity Pearl led strategic planning and foreign engagement for DPAA, which investigates, recovers, and identifies missing service members from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War.

During his military service, Pearl served in various combat and operational assignments outside the United States, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (twice) as both a Battalion and Brigade Commander leading soldiers in those efforts. He has collaborated with high-level officials in foreign countries and in the United States to achieve objectives and develop partnerships and has managed budgets of more than $70 million. He also served as special assistant and action officer to the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Pearl achieved numerous honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, three Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart.

Originally from Canton, Missouri, Pearl earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeast Missouri State University, a master’s degree in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the National War College.