Raymond Limon

About Raymond Limon

Theodore Roosevelt, “The Present Status of Civil Service Reform,” The Atlantic, Feb. 1895.While this quote might not pass muster with the Plain Writing Act of 2010, its meaning is clear—and its message remains relevant more than 100 years later. Along with his beliefs that opportunities should be made equal for all citizens and Federal job appointments should be based on merit, Roosevelt was adamant that neither public servants nor the public they serve should suffer for their (respective) political beliefs.Coming of age at a time when high school government and civics classes were filled with John F. Kennedy’s famous call to service and explorations of the idea of American exceptionalism, I was drawn to the Peace Corps after graduating from college; to law school after that; and, ultimately, to a career in the Federal civil service.What I’ve come to understand through public service at home and abroad is how critical many of the principles Roosevelt espoused are to ensuring the health and well-being of our citizens—along with the Federal government institutions and workforces that support them. Fundamentally, these principles allow us to work together to fulfill America’s promise to her people.How fitting, then, to be privileged to have served at the Merit Systems Protection Board, whose mission it is to protect the Merit System Principles and promote an effective Federal workplace free of Prohibited Personnel Practices. After 30 years working inside government, it is time to advocate from without!I am determined to work every day—with dedicated colleagues and on behalf of the public we serve—towards the ideals set forth by Roosevelt and JFK that remain resoundingly relevant in today’s world.

Experience

1. Founder

   Merit Service Advocates, Llc

   Mar 2025 — Present

   Merit Service Advocates, LLC provides pro bono strategic counsel and advocacy to protect an independent, merit-based civil service.Who I work with: Congress · National unions · Law firms · Good-government organizationsWhat I do: Advise on risk and compliance implications of civil service restructuring. Contribute amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Ninth and D.C. Circuit Courts of AppealsEngage media and policy forums including CNN, Washington Post, New York Times, Bloomberg Law, etc. Why it matters: When civil servants fear political retaliation, institutional trust erodes. This work exists to prevent that.

Education

• University of Nevada, Reno

  B.A. in Political Science, minor in pre-law

• Indiana University Maurer School of Law

  J.D., Public Administration

  1992 — 1995

Skills

• Government
• Recruiting
• Staff Development
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Workforce Planning
• Public Policy
• Talent Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Leadership
• Policy
• Change Management
• Organizational Development
• Performance Management
• Employee Training
• Labor Relations
• Talent Acquisition
• Interviews
• Leadership Development
• Program Management
• Personnel Management
• Training Delivery
• Employee Relations
• Strategic Planning
• Program Development
• Hris
• Training
• Executive Coaching
• Workshop Facilitation
• Human Resources
• Succession Planning
• Employee Engagement