Christopher Pumford, a Howell native and Hartland High School grad who received a Congressional tribute for his work evacuating and resettling refugees after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, will talk about his experience as a federal employee who lost his job to cuts made by DOGE (Department of Governmental Efficiency).
“DOGE = efficiency? An ex-federal employee’s perspective” is set for 2:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Meabon Room of the Howell Carnegie District Library, 314 W. Grand River Ave. in downtown Howell.
Pumford — who worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of State — will discuss his time working in the government, the nature of his termination, and the impact of DOGE.
Pumford is a former Presidential Management Fellow, the U.S. government’s premier leadership development program for advanced degree holders. He grew up in Howell, attended Hartland Consolidated Schools, and graduated from the University of Michigan.
He went on to earn a master’s degree in international relations from Tufts University, completed a Fulbright grant in Morocco, and was honored in Congress for his advocacy work with Afghan refugees in 2022. He frequently returns to Howell to connect with the community, as well as support the music program at the Hartland Consolidated Schools district.
