"In early 2006, NIST hired a full-time government employee as NEHRP Director and head of the office of the NEHRP Secretariat. This individual is a qualified engineer with experience in earthquake research, design, and construction practices, and in the management of complex programs and organizations. The office of the NEHRP Secretariat is charged with providing overall program management and coordination for NEHRP, strengthening program effectiveness by facilitating implementation of earthquake risk mitigation measures, ensuring that NEHRP statutory and reporting requirements are met, supporting the development and implementation of NEHRP strategic and management plans and coordinated interagency budgets, and building and maintaining effective liaison with NEHRP program agencies, industry stakeholders, academia, state and local government, and the general public". (NEHRP, Annual Report, 2007, p. 3).