If you’re wondering who is the postmaster general right now, you aren't alone. It’s one of those roles that usually stays in the shadows until something goes sideways with your mail or there’s a massive political dust-up. For the longest time, the answer was Louis DeJoy—a name that became a lightning rod for controversy. But things have changed.
David Steiner is the 76th Postmaster General of the United States.
He took over the reins on July 15, 2025. If that name doesn't ring a bell immediately, it's probably because he comes from a heavy-duty corporate background rather than the political arena. He was the CEO of Waste Management for over a decade. He also sat on the board of FedEx. Basically, he's a logistics guy through and through.
Why the Postmaster General Matters More Than You Think
Most of us just want our packages to show up on time. We don't spend much time thinking about the person running the 640,000-person machine that is the United States Postal Service (USPS). But the Postmaster General (PMG) has an absurd amount of power over your daily life. They decide how much a stamp costs, how fast your First-Class mail moves, and whether your local post office stays open or gets its hours slashed.
Steiner stepped into the role at a weirdly pivotal moment. His predecessor, Louis DeJoy, left behind a 10-year transformation plan called "Delivering for America." It was ambitious, sure, but it also made a lot of people angry because it involved slowing down some mail to save money. Steiner has to figure out how to keep the USPS from going bankrupt without making the service so slow that people give up on it entirely.
How the PMG Actually Gets the Job
Here is something that kinda surprises people: the President does not hire or fire the Postmaster General.
If you're used to how the Cabinet works—where the President picks the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense—the USPS is a different beast. It's an independent establishment.
- The Board of Governors: There are nine governors appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
- The Selection: These nine people are the ones who actually pick the Postmaster General.
- The Removal: Only the Board of Governors can fire the PMG.
This setup is intentional. It’s supposed to keep the mail out of partisan politics, though honestly, that hasn't always worked out perfectly in recent years. When Steiner was picked in May 2025, it was the Board—led by Chairwoman Amber McReynolds—that made the call.
The Steiner Era: What’s Changing in 2026?
So, now that we know who is the postmaster general, what is he actually doing? 2026 is shaping up to be a test year for his "business-first" approach.
One of the first big moves Steiner made was a bit of a shocker. In late 2025, he recommended not raising the price of First-Class stamps in January 2026. After years of prices going up every few months, that felt like a breather for most of us. However, he did hike prices on shipping services like Priority Mail and Ground Advantage by about 5% to 7%.
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It’s a classic corporate play: keep the "universal service" (letters) affordable while trying to squeeze more profit out of the competitive package market where they're fighting Amazon and UPS.
The Logistics Overhaul
Steiner is leaning hard into the "Sorting and Delivery Centers" (S&DCs) model.
In the old days, your mail went to a tiny local post office, and your carrier started their route from there. Steiner (and DeJoy before him) wants to consolidate. They’re moving carriers to these massive, centralized hubs. The idea is that it's way more efficient to charge electric vehicles and sort mail in one big warehouse than in fifty tiny ones.
The downside? Some postal workers hate the commute, and some communities feel like their local post office is being hollowed out. Steiner’s challenge is proving that this corporate efficiency actually translates to a better experience for you at the mailbox.
Dealing with the Debt
The USPS has been "bleeding money" for decades, or at least that’s the headline you always see. Honestly, it’s more complicated than that. A lot of the financial trouble came from a 2006 law that forced them to prepay retiree health benefits decades in advance—something no other agency or company has to do.
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Even with the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 fixing some of those accounting nightmares, the USPS still reported nearly $10 billion in losses for fiscal year 2024. Steiner is under massive pressure to find "ironclad" ways to cut costs. He's looking to save about $36 billion over the next decade.
What Most People Get Wrong About the PMG
People often think the Postmaster General is just a figurehead. That couldn't be further from the truth. David Steiner is essentially the CEO of one of the largest logistics companies on the planet.
He's currently overseeing:
- The Electric Fleet: Buying tens of thousands of electric delivery vehicles.
- Labor Relations: Navigating contracts with some of the biggest unions in the country.
- Modernization: Replacing ancient sorting machines with AI-powered tech.
It’s not just about stamps. It's about whether a government-run service can compete with private tech giants in a world where everyone wants their package yesterday.
Actionable Insights for You
Since David Steiner is the one calling the shots, here’s what you should expect and how to handle it:
- Check the Calendar for Price Shifts: While First-Class stamps stayed steady in early 2026, keep an eye on July. The USPS usually reviews "Market Dominant" prices twice a year. If you're a small business owner, buy your "Forever" stamps now if you suspect a mid-year hike.
- Expect "Ground Advantage" to be the Default: Steiner is pushing the Ground Advantage service hard. It’s cheaper for them and usually reliable for you, but it uses trucks instead of planes. If you need something there in 48 hours, you'll have to pay the premium for Priority Mail Express.
- New International Tools: They recently launched "Delivered Duties Paid" (DDP) for places like Canada and the UK. If you ship overseas, use this. It lets you prepay the customs fees so your recipient doesn't get hit with a surprise bill at the door. It’s part of Steiner’s plan to make USPS more "user-friendly" for global e-commerce.
Keep an eye on the Board of Governors meetings. They’re public, and that’s where the real decisions about the future of your mail service actually happen. Steiner might be the face of the operation, but he answers to those governors.
Next Steps for Staying Informed:
To stay ahead of service changes, you can monitor the USPS Newsroom for official announcements on rate changes or visit the USPS Office of Inspector General website to see independent audits on how Steiner's logistics overhaul is actually performing in your region.