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Cardell Richardson
American government official (born 1954) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Cardell Kenneth Richardson (born March 1954) is an American government official and retired United States Air Force colonel who served as the 17th Inspector General of the Department of State.
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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 at least 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]
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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]
On January 24, 2025, he was fired by President Donald Trump along with several other inspectors general, although the legality of the firings remains under question.[10]
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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
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