Gordon S. Heddell
Encyclopedia
Gordon S. Heddell is the Inspector General
(IG) of the United States Department of Defense
. Previously, Heddell also served as Inspector General for the Department of Labor
.
Heddell was sworn in as the seventh inspector general for the Department of Defense on July 14, 2009, one year after being appointed as acting inspector general. Heddell is responsible for directing audits, investigations, and inspections, and for developing audit and investigative policy in the largest federal office of Inspector General, with a workforce of over 1,600 and an annual budget exceeding $300 million. In this capacity, Heddell provides oversight of all the programs and operations of the Department of Defense and military services, including ongoing military operations in Southwest Asia.
In 2010, Heddell directed and led the Department of Defense oversight efforts that achieved $6.4 billion in monetary benefits and investigative recoveries, and conducted criminal investigations resulting in 281 indictments and 245 convictions.
As inspector general, Heddell serves on the executive committee of the federal Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency, chairs the Information Technology Committee, and is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Public Inquiry. Heddell is also the chair of the Defense Council on Integrity and Efficiency and serves as the chair of the Interagency Coordination Group of Inspectors General for Guam Realignment.
for outstanding government service. He was also selected by the University of Illinois Alumni Association as its recipient of the 2009 Alumni Achievement Award for alumni of the University of Illinois at Springfield.
, his master's degree from Sangamon State University (today known as the University of Illinois at Springfield), and was a Woodrow Wilson public service fellow from 1994-2000. Heddell graduated at the top of his Treasury Federal Law Enforcement Academy class.
Heddell created a partnership between the Secret Service and two inner city Washington D.C. public schools.
Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense
The Department of Defense Inspector General is an independent, objective agency that provides oversight related to the programs and operations of the Department of Defense...
(IG) of the United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
. Previously, Heddell also served as Inspector General for the Department of Labor
United States Department of Labor
The United States Department of Labor is a Cabinet department of the United States government responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re-employment services, and some economic statistics. Many U.S. states also have such departments. The...
.
Early government experience
Heddell began his government service as an Army chief warrant officer and helicopter pilot, serving in both Korea and Taiwan during the Vietnam War. After leaving the military, he served as a special agent in the United States Secret Service for 28 years. While with the Secret Service, Heddell served as special agent-in-charge of the Vice Presidential Protective Division, leading and managing the physical protection of the vice president of the United States. He eventually rose to the position of assistant director for inspections, serving as a key advisor to the director, providing advice and counsel on all facets of Secret Service leadership and operations.Inspector general service
From 2001 to 2008, Heddell served as inspector general of the U.S. Department of Labor, where he led efforts to combat labor racketeering and organized crime in the workplace; fraud against the Foreign Labor Certification Program; and weaknesses in the Mine Safety and Health Administration.Heddell was sworn in as the seventh inspector general for the Department of Defense on July 14, 2009, one year after being appointed as acting inspector general. Heddell is responsible for directing audits, investigations, and inspections, and for developing audit and investigative policy in the largest federal office of Inspector General, with a workforce of over 1,600 and an annual budget exceeding $300 million. In this capacity, Heddell provides oversight of all the programs and operations of the Department of Defense and military services, including ongoing military operations in Southwest Asia.
In 2010, Heddell directed and led the Department of Defense oversight efforts that achieved $6.4 billion in monetary benefits and investigative recoveries, and conducted criminal investigations resulting in 281 indictments and 245 convictions.
As inspector general, Heddell serves on the executive committee of the federal Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency, chairs the Information Technology Committee, and is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Public Inquiry. Heddell is also the chair of the Defense Council on Integrity and Efficiency and serves as the chair of the Interagency Coordination Group of Inspectors General for Guam Realignment.
Recognition
Heddell is a recipient of the Meritorious Presidential Rank AwardPresidential Rank Awards
The Presidential Rank Awards program is an individual award program granted by the United States Government to career Senior Executive Service members and Senior Career Employees within the OPM-allocated Senior-Level or Scientific-Professional community...
for outstanding government service. He was also selected by the University of Illinois Alumni Association as its recipient of the 2009 Alumni Achievement Award for alumni of the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Education
Heddell received his bachelor's degree from the University of MissouriUniversity of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, his master's degree from Sangamon State University (today known as the University of Illinois at Springfield), and was a Woodrow Wilson public service fellow from 1994-2000. Heddell graduated at the top of his Treasury Federal Law Enforcement Academy class.
Heddell created a partnership between the Secret Service and two inner city Washington D.C. public schools.
See also
- Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of DefenseOffice of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of DefenseThe Department of Defense Inspector General is an independent, objective agency that provides oversight related to the programs and operations of the Department of Defense...
- Recovery Accountability and Transparency BoardRecovery Accountability and Transparency BoardThe Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board is an agency of the United States federal government, which manages the Recovery.gov website and oversees spending under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Recovery.gov is the U.S...