OIG Senior Executive Team

OFFICE OF LEGAL SERVICES

DELORES "DEE" THOMPSON, COUNSEL TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

Delores “Dee” Thompson, a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) since 2009, was sworn in as Counsel to the Inspector General (IG), U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), in January 2017. As Counsel to the IG, Ms. Thompson manages and directs the OIG’s comprehensive legal program; oversees the DOL’s Whistleblower Protection Coordinator; and manages the OIG’s Records Management and Information Disclosure programs. She is also a Certified Federal Internal Coach.

Before joining the DOL-OIG, Ms. Thompson served as Chief Counsel, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Region VI, where she oversaw a federal sector law office responsible for providing advisory and litigation services to HHS programs located in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico. As a journeyman attorney, Ms. Thompson served as: (1) Deputy General Counsel, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) OIG; (2) Associate General Counsel, DOI-OIG; and (3) Trial and Advisory Attorney with both the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) OGC, and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), Contract Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC). Ms. Thompson began her career as a Staff Attorney with the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. She also served as a Law Clerk with the United States Court of Federal Claims. Her portfolio has included fiscal law, employment law, procurement law - including procurement fraud, audit, investigation, and law enforcement issues, information disclosure law, ethics, program fraud, environmental law, and records management law.

Ms. Thompson has represented Federal agencies before several administrative bodies, including the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and the Office of Special Counsel. She also has assisted and appeared with Department of Justice attorneys in Federal district and appellate court litigation.

Ms. Thompson is admitted to the U. S. Supreme Court, the U. S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, the U.S. Claims Court, and the Supreme Court of Ohio. She holds a Masters of Law in Environmental Law from The George Washington University, a Juris Doctor from Salmon P. Chase Law School, Northern Kentucky University (NKU), and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from NKU. Finally, Ms. Thompson graduated from the DOI SES Candidate Development Program; and completed both the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellows Program and the Treasury Executive Institute’s Federal Internal Coach Training Program.

OFFICE OF AUDIT

CAROLYN RAMONA HANTZ, ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL

Carolyn Ramona Hantz was appointed as Assistant Inspector General for Audit, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, on January 31, 2021, and is responsible for providing overall leadership to the Office of Audit. Prior to her work at the Department, Ms. Hantz served as a Senior Executive with the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General. She brings 13 years of executive experience to her new position, and over 40 years of Federal experience in the Inspector General community.

Prior to her arrival at the Department of Labor, Ms. Hantz led a team of 72 evaluators in the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Defense (DOD OIG) since April 1, 2019. From September 14, 2008 to March 31, 2019, Ms. Hantz led 39 expert auditors in the DoD OIG with a large mission to provide policy and oversight evaluations throughout the Defense audit community including 22 audit organizations with over 7,000 auditors, non-Federal auditors performing Single Audits for the Department, and contracting officials implementing contract audit recommendations. Ms. Hantz oversaw the performance of external quality control reviews of Defense audit organizations quality control systems. She also provided oversight of and conducted quality control reviews of single audits of not-for-profit organizations, colleges, universities, state and local governments. She oversaw the completion of Hotlines and evaluations of contracting officials’ actions on Defense Contract Audit Agency audit recommendations.

Ms. Hantz is a native of Washington, DC. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Howard University, and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. She is also a graduate of Harvard University’s “Leadership for the 21st Century” program and the Federal Executive Institute’s “Leadership for a Democratic Society” program. She attended Syracuse University Maxwell School as a National Security Management Fellow, and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Maryland.

Ms. Hantz has written key audit policy documents for 7,000 auditors in 22 Defense audit organizations. Over the past five years, she issued 53 reports in the areas of Medical Care, Combatant Commands, Overseas Contingency Operations, Internal Audit, Contract Audit, Contract Audit Follow-up and Single Audit Policy and Oversight. Ms. Hantz performed or oversaw quality control reviews/peer reviews of at least 15 Defense audit organizations and provided assistance to the GAO on Government Auditing Standards.

Formal recognition of her achievements includes the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service in January 2021, FY 2020 Mentor of the Year Award, Superior Civilian Service Award in November 2006, the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency Award of Excellence in October 2002, and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award in November 2001.

LAURA B. NICOLOSI, DEPUTY ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL

Laura B. Nicolosi was admitted to the Senior Executive Service in July 2018 as Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audit with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. In July 2022, she returned to this position, and is responsible for providing overall leadership to the Office of Audit. Prior to her current position at the Department, Ms. Nicolosi served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audit with the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General.

Ms. Nicolosi began her career with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General as an auditor in 2000, and later joined the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General as an auditor in the Chicago Regional Audit Office. During this time, she participated in the organization’s competitive Leadership Development Program. She later became an Assistant Regional Audit Manager in the U.S. Department of Justice, San Francisco Regional Audit Office. In 2009, Ms. Nicolosi transitioned to the role of Mission Support Director for the Office of Audits, Office of Inspector General, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Ms. Nicolosi is a native of New Hampshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. She is also a graduate of the Harvard University Senior Executive Fellows Program. Formal recognition of her achievements includes the Department of Labor Inspector General’s Leadership Award, NASA Inspector General’s Exceptional Service Award, the Department of Justice Inspector General’s Award of Merit, Awards of Excellence from CIGIE and the former PCIE/ECIE, as well as Exceptional Achievement, Superior Service, and Honor awards from NASA, the Department of Justice, and HHS.

TAWANDA HOLMES, DEPUTY ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AUDIT

Tawanda Holmes was appointed as Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audit, Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in July, 2022. She is responsible for providing overall leadership to the Office of Audit, with a focus on financial audits, IT audits, and support. Ms. Holmes’ 30-year Federal career includes 25 years of auditing experience.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Holmes was the Division Director for various audits at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) since 2010. Specifically, Ms. Holmes led a national audit team in conducting performance audits of health insurance companies offering the Medicare Parts C & D program to ensure over 50 million Medicare beneficiaries received access to medical services and prescription drugs and deter fraud, waste, and abuse. The audit team included 52 CMS employees in the Baltimore and Regional Offices and contractors representing various professions (e.g. CPAs, pharmacists, nurses, attorneys, analysts, etc.). She also oversaw the OMB A-123 internal controls audit and the annual financial statement audit. From 2004 to 2010, Ms. Holmes conducted financial audits of the Medicare Parts C & D program.

From 1998 to 2004, Ms. Holmes was an auditor at the DHHS OIG where she conducted performance audits of CMS’ oversight of their Medicare and Medicaid programs. From 1995 to 1998, she was an auditor at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission where she conducted financial audits of utility companies. She began her federal career as an administrative assistant at the Social Security Administration.

Ms. Holmes served 18 years in the U.S. Navy Reserves at the Navy Reserve Centers in Baltimore and Richmond where she was responsible for leading enlisted personnel in completing various supply logistical functions to support the Naval Station Norfolk and Defense Logistics Agency.

Ms. Holmes was also an adjunct faculty instructor at the Baltimore City Community College where she taught math and accounting.

Ms. Holmes is a native of Baltimore. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Morgan State University, a Master of Arts with a concentration in Management from Towson University, and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Maryland.

Ms. Holmes received numerous civilian and military awards throughout her career, including the CMS Administrator’s Achievement Awards, DHHS Achievement Award, DHHS OIG Professional Development Award, Navy Achievement Medals, Navy Peer Leadership Award, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, Sailor of the Year Awards, and Sailor of the Quarter Awards.

OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS – LABOR RACKETEERING & FRAUD

MICHAEL C. MIKULKA, ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL

Michael C. Mikulka, a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), was sworn in as the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, on April 25, 2021, and is responsible for directing the OIG’s nationwide investigative program and providing overall leadership to the Office of Investigations-Labor Racketeering and Fraud. Prior to joining the OIG’s executive team, Mr. Mikulka served as the Special Agent-in-Charge of the OIG’s New York Region. In that capacity Mr. Mikulka oversaw the investigative work of eight offices that cover the eight northeastern states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Mr. Mikulka has over 20 years of Federal law enforcement experience.

Mr. Mikulka began his federal career with the U.S. Customs Service as a U.S. Customs Inspector in 1997. In 2002, Mr. Mikulka transferred to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and was appointed a U.S. Postal Inspector. As a U.S. Postal Inspector, Mr. Mikulka investigated external crimes in Brooklyn, NY. In 2005, Mr. Mikulka transferred to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General and was assigned as a Special Agent in the Newark, NJ Field Office. For 8 years, Mr. Mikulka conducted large-scale investigations focused on labor racketeering in the construction industry and fraud involving the Department’s foreign labor certification programs. During that time, he worked extensively with various federal, state and local agencies on high profile prosecutions in the District of New Jersey and the Southern District of New York.

In 2013, Mr. Mikulka was promoted to Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of the OIG’s two New Jersey field offices. In that capacity, he was responsible for overseeing all investigations conducted in the state of New Jersey. In 2015, he was promoted to the position of Special Agent-in-Charge of the Division of Investigations and Administration at DOL OIG headquarters in Washington, D.C. In that capacity he oversaw the day-to-day operation of the agency’s nationwide investigative program and administrative operations. In 2016, Mr. Mikulka transferred from his headquarters position to the position of Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Region.

Mr. Mikulka is a native of New York City. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from St. John’s University. He is also a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute’s “Leadership for a Democratic Society” program

Mr. Mikulka received recognition throughout his federal career. Formal recognition of his achievements include the U.S. Customs Service Commissioner’s Award, Federal Law Enforcement Foundation Investigator of the Year Award, and numerous Inspector General and Secretary of Labor Special Achievement, Innovation, and Exceptional Achievement awards.

SUZANN K. GALLAGHER, DEPUTY ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL

Suzann Gallagher was sworn in as the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigative Operations, Office of Investigations, Department of Labor, on January 17, 2023. She assists the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations in providing direction for the OIG’s nationwide investigative program and leadership for the Office of Investigations-Labor Racketeering and Fraud.

Prior to this assignment, Ms. Gallagher served as USAID’s Assistant Inspector General for Investigations. In this capacity, she oversaw OIG investigative operations aimed at promoting the integrity of agency personnel, programs, and operations and responding to allegations of fraud, theft, bribery, and senior official misconduct. She advanced partnerships with other oversight and law enforcement organizations across the globe. To carry out this mission, she oversaw a global workforce from Washington, D.C., with sub-offices located in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. She first joined USAID in 2018 as the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations.

Ms. Gallagher began her law enforcement career as a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), serving as the Special Agent in Charge of the Middle East Field Office, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Washington Field Office, and Supervisory Special Agent at NCISHQ and the Washington Field Office, among other positions. Her experience with NCIS included directing and conducting counterintelligence, counterterrorism, procurement fraud, and criminal investigations and operations throughout the Middle East, Southwest Asia, East Africa, Europe, and the National Capital Region.

Ms. Gallagher began her federal career with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, establishing local volunteer emergency response teams and supporting interagency emergency response coordination. She attended Cornell University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. She also holds a Master's in Arts in Education from Columbia University and a Master's in Arts in Medieval Studies from the University of Notre Dame. Her awards include the Joint Civilian Service Commendation, the Women in Federal Law Enforcement Leadership Award, a Meritorious Unit Commendation for the response to the Washington Navy Yard shooting, and a Department of Defense Counterintelligence Investigation Team Award.

CHRISTOPHER T. COOPER, DEPUTY ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL

Christopher T. Cooper, a member of the Senior Executive Service, was sworn in as the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL-OIG), on April 25, 2023, and is responsible for directing the Office of Investigations-Labor Racketeering and Fraud’s headquarters operations. This includes executive oversight of administration, digital forensics, data analytics, and investigative analysis. Prior to joining the OIG’s executive team, Mr. Cooper served as the Special Agent-in-Charge of the OIG’s Division of Advanced Technology and Analytics. In that capacity, Mr. Cooper oversaw the data, investigative, and forensic analyses that supported the entire OIG.

Mr. Cooper began his career as a legal specialist in the U.S. Army in 1988. He worked his way up to a noncommissioned officer and held various positions and military assignments worldwide in the areas of Judge Advocate General operations.

Mr. Cooper has more than 20 years of Federal law enforcement experience, which began with the U.S. Department of Education OIG (ED-OIG) in 2000. In 2005, he transferred to Washington, DC, to help start up ED-OIG’s Office of Information Technology Audits and Computer Crime Investigations. In 2008, Mr. Cooper became the first Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of the Technical Crimes Division. For 15 years, he conducted and supervised large-scale investigations focused on educational programmatic fraud and cyber-crimes.

In 2015, Mr. Cooper became the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Electronic Crimes Unit at DOL-OIG Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he oversaw the reorganization of the digital forensics and investigative analysis of the OIG. Mr. Cooper also developed the Office of Investigation’s first branch of data science.

Mr. Cooper earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration, and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia College. He continues to maintain his international certifications as a Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Computer Examiner. He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute’s “Leadership for a Democratic Society” program and a graduate of the Partnership of Public Service’s Excellence in Government Fellows program. Mr. Cooper has received recognition throughout his federal career. Formal recognition of his achievements includes the Gears of Government Award, and numerous Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, Inspector General, and Secretaries of Labor and Education Special Achievement, Innovation, and Exceptional Achievement awards.

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND POLICY

TARA A. PORTER, ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL

Tara A. Porter was sworn in as the Assistant Inspector General, Office of Management and Policy (OMAP), in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL OIG) in September 2021. In this capacity, she is responsible for the oversight of the OIG’s budget, human resources, personnel security, training, procurement, and space and administrative functions.

Prior to joining DOL OIG, Ms. Porter was the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Management and Administration at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) OIG. While at VA OIG she was responsible for operational planning; internal control oversight; training coordination; budgetary formulation and execution; space planning and facilities management; and human resources management.

Ms. Porter has also served as the Assistant Inspector General for Management and Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) OIG. In that role, she was responsible for budget formulation and execution, strategic planning, performance management, IT resource allocation, web development, human capital management, policy development, contract management, capital investment, facilities management, and security oversight. Prior to DOE OIG, she worked for the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, which was responsible for the oversight of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. During her tenure with the Recovery Board, Ms. Porter was instrumental in coordinating cross-cutting issues that impacted the entire Inspector General community.

Ms. Porter’s 30-year Federal career spans multiple agencies. In addition, she also served in the Air Force Reserves at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and the Air National Guard at Joint Base Andrews in the Washington, DC area.

Ms. Porter graduated summa cum laude from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. She is also a 2012 graduate of the Federal Executive Institute.

CLAUDETTE L. FOGG-CASTILLO, DEPUTY ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL

Claudette L. Fogg-Castillo, a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), was sworn in as the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Management and Policy, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), in August 2021 and is responsible for providing overall leadership to the Office of Management and Policy, overseeing the full range of OIG business functions nationwide to include human resources, budget, procurement and administrative services.

Prior to joining the OIG’s executive team, Ms. Fogg-Castillo served as the Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Administrative Services within the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, National Nuclear Security Administration in the Department of Energy, where she was responsible for agency-wide business services, policy development and strategic workforce planning that included program oversight for human capital and workforce development, procurement, facilities and logistics, personnel security, travel and training, records and FOIA management and all administrative operations.

Ms. Fogg-Castillo began her career as an administrative specialist in the U.S. Army in 1993 working her way up to a senior noncommissioned officer and holding various positions and military assignments world-wide in the areas of administrative management and human resource operations, as well as serving as a human resources specialist, Army Instructor and Course Director during her tenure.

In 2004, she began her federal career and has held positions of increasing responsibility as an Administrative Officer within the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, overseeing the full spectrum of the Agency’s mission support functions as well as Deputy Director and Chief Administrative Officer within the Department of Defense, Office of the Judge Advocate General overseeing the Agency’s day-to-day business functions and administrative operations.

Ms. Fogg-Castillo has received a number of military and civilian awards throughout her career, including Meritorious Service Medals, Army Achievement and Commendation Medals, as well as Commander’s Awards for Civilian Service. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and is a certified Program Manager (PM) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and is also a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute.

OFFICE PERFORMANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT

JESSICA SOUTHWELL, CHIEF PERFORMANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Jessica Southwell, a member of the Senior Executive Service, was sworn in as Chief Performance and Risk Management Officer, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), in May 2016. She is responsible for leading organizational performance and risk management activities across the OIG, working closely with senior leadership to enhance organizational performance and manage risks to the OIG mission. Prior to joining DOL OIG, Ms. Southwell served at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as Director of Agency Councils under the Office of the Administrator, and as Branch Chief of Strategic Planning and Performance Management under the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.

Ms. Southwell also served at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as Branch Chief of Strategy and Performance Management, Verification Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and as a risk expert within the National Protection and Programs Directorate where she was responsible for facilitating DHS’s implementation of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards regulation. Prior to DHS, Mr. Southwell served at the Department of Health and Human Services, where she managed an array of all-hazard preparedness programs both in the U.S. and abroad.

Ms. Southwell earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the American University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the George Washington University. She is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute.