James “Jim” Richardson is the Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance at the U.S. Department of State. On behalf of the Secretary of State, where he coordinates $35 billion in foreign assistance across the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), ensuring policy, performance and budget alignment. He is also responsible for foreign assistance strategic planning, policy, and monitoring and evaluation standards.
Previously, Jim served as Coordinator of USAID’s Transformation Task Team, where he led the Agency’s historic reorganization to reshape the Agency around the principle of ‘Ending the Need for Foreign Assistance’, establishing new Bureaus, policies, processes, and workforce solutions. Concurrent to his role on Transformation, he served as Assistant to the Administrator in USAID’s Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning (PPL) where he was responsible for agency-wide strategic planning, policy development, monitoring and evaluation standards, and international donor coordination.
Jim has nearly 20 years of government experience. Prior to joining the Trump Administration, he served as Chief of Staff for then-Congressman Mike Pompeo (KS-04) — overseeing Congressman Pompeo’s offices in Washington, DC and in Wichita, Kansas, as well as the campaign organization.
Throughout his years in Washington, Jim spearheaded numerous complex operations and developed an extensive background in public policy and the legislative process. Prior to leading Congressman Pompeo’s staff, Jim worked with the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee for Congressman Todd Tiahrt (KS-04), the House Armed Services Committee for Congressman Jim Ryun (KS-02), and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for Senator John Ashcroft (R-MO). He started his government career with Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-MO).
Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Government from Evangel University and a Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies from Missouri State University. He is also a graduate of the United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College (ACSC).