By Presidential memorandum to Heads of Departments and Agencies, dated November 10, 1961, President John F. Kennedy directed the establishment of a Federal Executive Board in each of 10 major centers of Federal activity to serve as field-level organizational structures comprised of the highest level official of each Federal agency (civilian, military, and postal service) in the metropolitan area.

- The 10 original FEB locations:
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Seattle

- In 1963, President Kennedy added two more:
Kansas City, Los Angeles

- In 1966, President Johnson authorized three more:
Cleveland, Honolulu-Pacific, Minnesota

- In 1969 President Nixon added another 10, including New Orleans:
Albuquerque-Santa Fe, Baltimore, Buffalo, Detroit, Greater Cincinnati, Miami, Newark,, Pittsburgh, Portland (OR)

- In 1976, President Ford added one:
Houston.

In 1990, OPM Director Constance Newman authorized elevating and changing the name of San Antonio Federal Executive Association to the Alamo FEB. Oklahoma was added in 1993, resulting in a total of 28 FEBs across the country.