USPS Enters New Chapter with Appointment of David Steiner

The United States Postal Service is undergoing a significant leadership change that could have lasting implications for the future of mail delivery and the day-to-day operations of post offices nationwide. In late March 2025, Louis DeJoy officially stepped down as Postmaster General after nearly five years at the helm. DeJoy, who was appointed during the Trump administration, spearheaded the “Delivering for America” plan, a sweeping initiative aimed at making USPS more self-sufficient through network consolidation, service standard changes, and investment in new delivery vehicles. His departure marks the end of a controversial yet transformative chapter for the agency.

Following DeJoy’s resignation, Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino assumed the role of Acting Postmaster General to maintain continuity and ensure operational stability. Tulino, a longtime USPS executive with experience in labor relations and field operations, is serving in this interim capacity until a permanent successor is confirmed by the USPS Board of Governors.

In May, the Board announced the selection of David Steiner as the next Postmaster General. Steiner is a former CEO of Waste Management and currently serves on the board of FedEx, a major USPS competitor (he will step down from the FedEx board prior to assuming the Postmaster General role). His selection has elicited reactions from stakeholders across the postal ecosystem. The Board has emphasized Steiner’s logistics background as a key asset in continuing USPS modernization efforts, but his ties to the private sector—particularly to FedEx—have raised concerns about the long-term direction of the Postal Service. Labor unions, including the National Association of Letter Carriers, have voiced strong opposition, describing the appointment as a step toward privatization and warning that it could jeopardize the USPS’s public service mission.

Unlike many high-level federal appointments, the Postmaster General does not require Senate confirmation. Instead, the USPS Board of Governors—comprised of presidential appointees who are themselves Senate-confirmed—holds full authority to appoint the position. In this case, the Board worked with the executive search firm Egon Zehnder to vet candidates, culminating in Steiner’s selection in early May. He is expected to begin his tenure in July 2025, pending final background and ethics clearances.

Steiner’s appointment suggests a continued emphasis on cost-efficiency and operational restructuring—hallmarks of the DeJoy era that may accelerate under new leadership. As Steiner prepares to take the reins, stakeholders across the country will be watching closely to see whether his leadership brings continued transformation—or a new path entirely—for the Postal Service. If you’d like to speak in more detail about what these changes could mean for you and your property, please let us know by clicking here.