Federal Faces: Ruth Y. Goldway

Job title: Chairman, Postal Regulatory Commission.

Best known for: The independent agency helps to oversee the U.S. Postal Service, including reviewing the process of closing down post offices.

According to the commission's Web site, Goldway is the longest-serving full-time, Senate-confirmed presidential appointee in the executive branch.

Government service: Appointed to current position in August by President Obama. First appointed by President Bill Clinton in April 1998 to the predecessor agency, the Postal Rate Commission, and twice reappointed by President George W. Bush, most recently in 2008 to serve a third term ending in November 2014.

Previously posted overseas when then-husband Derek Shearer served as ambassador to Finland from 1994 to 1997. Was also elected council member and mayor of Santa Monica, Calif., from 1979 to 1983.

Biggest challenge of job: Envisioning the future of communications.

Quote: "The Postal Service is part of the communications network of America and the world. It used to play a different role in the past and it will play a different role in the future."

-- Ed O'Keefe

Federal Faces spotlights federal employees who make a difference -- through the nature of their work or through their personal contributions. Know of someone who should be featured? Send your nominee to fedfaces@washpost.com.