The Presidential Rank Award is the highest recognition given to career employees serving in the federal government. This prestigious award is accompanied by a substantial bonus of up to 35 percent of the employee’s pay. Employees must be nominated and recommended by their supervisors. Not all nominees receive the award. An African American executive in the Department of Housing and Urban Development sued, based on his belief that race was a factor in his not being recommended by his supervisor for the award. Was the executive subjected to an adverse employment action?