Stephen Akard
Stephen Akard | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Inspector General of the Department of State | |
Acting | |
In office May 15, 2020 – August 7, 2020 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Steve Linick |
Succeeded by | Diana Shaw(acting) |
Director of theOffice of Foreign Missions | |
In office September 16, 2019 – August 7, 2020 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Cliff Seagroves(acting) |
Succeeded by | Cliff Seagroves(acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | Stephen James Akard 1964 (age 59–60) Indianapolis,Indiana,U.S. |
Education | Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis(BA,JD,MBA) |
Stephen James Akard(born 1964) is a former American diplomat who was the United States director of theOffice of Foreign Missions,a division of theDepartment of State,and beginning in May 2020 also the acting inspector general of the department after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor,Steve Linick.Akard resigned less than three months later to return to the private sector, according to a department spokeswoman.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Akard is a native ofIndianapolis,Indiana.[2]He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and French fromIndiana University–Purdue University Indianapolisand aJuris Doctorfrom the Indiana UniversityMcKinney School of Law.He received aMaster of Business Administrationfrom the Indiana UniversityKelley School of Business.
Career
[edit]After graduating from law school, Akard practiced law in Indianapolis and was an instructor at theIndiana University Maurer School of LawinBloomington.[2]He also worked as a law clerk forJames E. Nolandon theU.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Under theGeorge W. Bushadministration, he served as special assistant toSecretary of StateColin Powellin theExecutive Secretariat,as well as in assorted officer roles at multipleUnited States embassiesbetween 1997 and 2005.[3]
He served as the senior foreign affairs advisor to Indiana governorsMitch Daniels,Mike Pence,andEric Holcomb.Akard served as the chief of staff, vice president and general counsel, and director for theIndiana Economic Development Corporation.
Beginning January 2017, he served as senior advisor and acting chief of staff in the Office of theUnder Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment.[3]
In October 2017, he was nominated to serve asDirector General of the Foreign Service.[4]In March 2018, he withdrew his nomination after State Department officials and lawmakers raised objections that the role should be filled by a more experienced career diplomat and someone less politically connected to the Trump administration.[4][5]
Akard was confirmed by a vote of 90–2 as the director of theOffice of Foreign Missionson September 11, 2019 under PresidentDonald Trumpand began service in his role on September 16.
After the firing of incumbentinspector general of the Department of StateSteve Linickin May 2020, PresidentDonald Trumpannounced that Akard would be named as his successor.[6][7]On August 5, 2020, less than three months after he assumed the IG role, Akard resigned, leaving Deputy Inspector GeneralDiana Shawserving in an acting position as Inspector General.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ^Verma, Pranshu; Wong, Edward (August 5, 2020)."Another Inspector General Resigns Amid Questions About Pompeo".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedAugust 7,2020.
- ^ab"Stephen J. Akard".United States Department of State.RetrievedOctober 23,2019.
- ^ab"President Donald J. Trump Announces Key Additions to his Administration".whitehouse.gov.March 19, 2018.RetrievedOctober 23,2019– viaNational Archives.
- ^abGramer, Robbie (November 1, 2017)."White House Taps Pence Associate to Run Foreign Service".Foreign Policy.RetrievedOctober 24,2019.
- ^Gramer, Robbie (May 9, 2018)."Pompeo's Hiring Moves Soothe Diplomats".Foreign Policy.RetrievedOctober 24,2019.
- ^McGraw, Meridith;Toosi, Nahal(May 15, 2020)."Trump ousts State Department watchdog".Politico.
- ^Shear, Michael D.;Haberman, Maggie(May 16, 2020)."Trump Removes State Dept. Inspector General".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedMay 18,2020.
- ^Riga, Kate (August 5, 2020)."Newest Acting State Department IG Out After Just Three Months, Deputy Will Take Over".Talking Points Memo.RetrievedAugust 5,2020.
- ^Hudson, John (August 5, 2020)."State Department watchdog resigns in another shake-up at IG's office".The Washington Post.RetrievedAugust 5,2020.
- 1964 births
- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law alumni
- Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis alumni
- Kelley School of Business alumni
- Living people
- People from Indianapolis
- Trump administration personnel
- United States inspectors general by name
- Directors of the Office of Foreign Missions