Potter tells 'Post' that retirement age is his reason for stepping down

Outgoing Postmaster General John Potter told The Washington Post yesterday that hitting the retirement age for federal employees was his main motivator for deciding to retire on December 3.

Another interesting tidbit: After Potter retires, and now-Deputy Postmaster General and COO Patrick Donahoe moves into his office, Donahoe's two roles will be divided between two people to be named later.

Interestingly, the leaders of two major postal unions expressed contrasting views of the choice of Donahoe to succeed Potter. William Burrus, the outgoing president of the American Postal Workers Union, said Donahoe was “the architect” of cost-cutting at the organization, while Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said Donahoe is “committed to working with the postal unions.”