Chris Klomp on the Search for New CDC Director

Why It Matters

A transparent, merit‑based selection ensures the CDC is led by a credible, ethically grounded director, directly influencing national health policy and pandemic preparedness.

Key Takeaways

• CDC director search follows formal, structured hiring process.
• Competency grid and scoring guide interview panel evaluations.
• Panel includes internal, adjacent, and independent members to avoid bias.
• Moral integrity is considered a non‑negotiable baseline for candidates.
• Final decision rests with Secretary and President after calibration.

Summary

The interview process for the CDC’s top leadership mirrors corporate executive searches, employing dedicated recruiting teams, a competency‑based grid, and a multi‑layered hiring panel. Candidates are screened nationwide, scored against defined attributes such as scientific expertise, operational experience, and, critically, moral integrity, before advancing to a series of one‑on‑one and small‑group interviews. Key insights include the use of red‑team/blue‑team dynamics, calibrated scorecards, and a strict no‑discussion rule until all interviews conclude, ensuring objectivity. The Secretary of Health and Human Services participates directly in the panel, reviewing top candidates and ultimately forwarding a recommendation to the President, who makes the nomination for Senate confirmation. Interviewers emphasize behavioral questioning—asking candidates to recount real‑world ethical dilemmas rather than hypothetical scenarios—to gauge character and decision‑making. The panel also balances expertise gaps by envisioning complementary deputy roles, reflecting a broader talent‑stacking strategy common in large organizations. The process underscores the political and operational stakes of the CDC directorship: a leader must command trust, align with the President’s agenda, and survive Senate scrutiny, all while steering a complex public‑health agency. The rigorous, transparent methodology aims to secure a director capable of both scientific stewardship and effective organizational management.

Original Description

Chris Klomp, a rising star at the Health and Human Services Department, spoke with STAT at length about how he’s approaching the search for a new CDC chief. He explained that there have been both in-person and Zoom interviews, some one-on-one and some in groups, and that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been part of the process. He also said this selection will not be guided by the whims of the president or Kennedy or himself, but by a very meticulous process.

READ THE FULL STORY: https://www.statnews.com/2026/03/20/new-cdc-director-chris-klomp-leads-search-inside-look/

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