Cardell Richardson

Cardell Richardson
Official portrait, 2024
17th Inspector General of the Department of State
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 20, 2024
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded bySteve Linick
Personal details
Born
Cardell Kenneth Richardson

March 1954 (age 70)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Spouse
Jackie Taylor
​
(m. 1977)​
Children2
EducationMcKinley Technology High School
Howard University (BArch)
Webster University (MPA)
National Defense University (MSc)
Occupation
  • Government official
  • military officer
AwardsPresidential Rank Award (2)
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service United States Air Force
Years of service1977–2003
Rank Colonel

Cardell Kenneth Richardson (born March 1954) is an American government official and retired air force colonel who has served as the 17th Inspector General of the Department of State since 2024.

Early life and education

Cardell Kenneth Richardson was born in March 1954 in Washington D.C.[1] He is the son of Charles Franklin Richardson, a government official who migrated from North Carolina to Washington D.C. in the 1940s, and Mary Bernetta Parker Richardson, a Washingtonian government employee.[2] He has three siblings.[2] His father died when he was 11 years old.[1] He attended Terrell Junior High School before going to study at McKinley Technology High School.[1]

Richardson holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Howard University, a Master of Public Administration degree from Webster University, and a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University.[2] He has also attended the Harvard Kennedy School and the Kellogg School of Management.[2]

Career

Richardson served in the United States Air force for 26 years between 1977 and 2003, obtaining the rank of Colonel.[2][3]

Richardson worked in the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency for over two decades, including as the Inspector General.[3]

Richardson was appointed a Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service in July 2003, after he had retired from the air force.[2][4]

In July 2023,[5] President Joe Biden nominated Richardson to be the Inspector General of the Department of State.[6][7][8] His appointment was confirmed by the Senate on May 2, 2024 and he took office on May 20.[9]

Personal life

Richardson married Jackie Taylor in 1977, and they have two children together.[2] He has previously lived in South Korea and Germany.[1]

Richardson has received the Presidential Rank Award twice.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Episode #3 transcript - Cardell Richardson – Asbury UMC DC Oral Histories podcast" (PDF). Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Cardell Richardson, Sr. - Cardell Richardson, Sr. interview image". Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Opening Statement of Cardell Richardson, Sr. Nominee For Inspector General, U.S. Department of State Senate Foreign Relations Committee, November 16, 2023" (PDF). November 16, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Biden Nominates NGA Inspector General Cardell K. Richardson, Sr. to Serve as IG at State Department - HS Today". www.hstoday.us. 2023-07-26. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  5. ^ "Blinken to see Team USA live at another World Cup". Politico. July 26, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  6. ^ "PN902 — Cardell Kenneth Richardson Sr. — Department of State". Congress.gov. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  7. ^ "Biden roils oversight community with nominations for Ukraine aid watchdogs | Responsible Statecraft". responsiblestatecraft.org. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  8. ^ Weisner, Molly (2023-07-26). "Biden's watchdog nominees pass over acting IGs at State, USAID". Federal Times. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  9. ^ "Cardell K. Richardson, Sr., U.S Department of State Inspector General". Office of Inspector General.