Meet OIG Senior Staff

INSPECTOR GENERAL
Patrick P. O'Carroll, Jr.

PATRICK P. O’CARROLL, JR.
Inspector General
Social Security Administration

Patrick P. O'Carroll, Jr. currently serves as the third Inspector General (IG) for the Social Security Administration (SSA), having been appointed to that position on November 24, 2004.  Under his direction, the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) inspires public confidence in the integrity and security of SSA’s programs by conducting independent and objective audits, evaluations, and investigations.  Since assuming the SSA OIG leadership, Mr. O’Carroll has intensified the OIG’s efforts to identify and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in SSA programs through the institution of innovative and collaborative approaches to the office’s core functions and the management and development of human and technological resources.

The results of these efforts can be seen in the OIG’s most recent achievements.  In FY 2006, the OIG's investigators reported over $292 million in investigative accomplishments through SSA recoveries, restitution, fines, settlements, and judgments and projected savings. OIG auditors issued 108 reports with recommendations identifying over $ 2.6 billion in Federal funds that could be put to better use and $1.4 billion in questioned costs. And OIG's attorneys reported over $2.7 million in civil monetary penalties and assessments. As a result, the OIG returned $46 for every dollar invested in its operations.

In addition to directing an OIG workforce of over 600 auditors, attorneys, evaluators and investigators nationwide, Mr. O’Carroll also chairs the Investigations Committee of the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE)—an organization of Presidentially-appointed Inspectors General who address issues that transcend individual Government agencies and increase the professionalism and effectiveness of IG personnel throughout the Government. Under Mr. O’Carroll’s leadership, the Committee seeks new ways to improve investigative functions, establish investigative guidelines, and promote best practices and training opportunities for over 6,000 agents in the Federal IG community.

Prior to his appointment as Inspector General, Mr. O'Carroll held a number of increasingly responsible positions in the SSA OIG organization, including Assistant Inspector General for Investigations and Assistant Inspector General for External Affairs.  Mr. O'Carroll also brought to the OIG the benefits of his 26 years of experience with the United States Secret Service.

DEPUTY
INSPECTOR GENERAL
James A. Kissko

DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL
James A. Kissko

James A. Kissko was appointed to the position of Deputy Inspector General on August 7, 2005. In this capacity, Jim provides leadership and guidance in the planning, policy and program development and management of the Office of the Inspector General.

Jim has worked at the Social Security Administration (SSA) since 1986 in a variety of key executive positions. Most recently, he served as the Associate Commissioner for Electronic Services within SSA's Office of Operations, where he was responsible for directing the planning and development of electronic service delivery initiatives to improve the agency's service to the public and where he provided leadership to promote expanded e-Government within SSA. Previously, Jim served as the Acting Deputy Commissioner for Operations, the Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Operations, the Associate Commissioner for International Policy and as Senior Executive Officer for the Commissioner.

Prior to joining SSA, Jim had extensive experience in other Federal agencies, serving as Executive Director, Intra-Departmental Council on Indian Affairs and as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Human Development Services within the Department of Health and Human Services; and as Deputy Director, Division of Special Treatment Program, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in the U.S. Public Health Service.

Jim holds degrees from Yale University and Cornell University.

ASSISTANT INSPECTOR
GENERAL FOR
CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS
AND INTRA-GOVERNMENTAL LIAISON
Wade V. Walters, IV

ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS AND INTRA-GOVERNMENTAL LIAISON
Wade V. Walters, IV

Mr. Walters currently serves as the Assistant Inspector General for Congressional Affairs and Intra-Governmental Liaison for the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG). In this capacity, Wade coordinates the OIG's liaison with Congress, other government agencies and the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE).

Prior to assuming his current duties, Wade served in the OIG's Office of Investigations (OI) as the Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC) of the five-state Dallas Field Division. Prior to being appointed as the SAC of the Dallas Field Division, Wade served for two years as the SAC of the six-state Denver Field Division. Wade also served as the Resident Agent-in-Charge of Arizona and Nevada and as a Special Agent in the San Francisco office. He has been employed with the OIG for over ten years. Prior to joining the OIG, Wade served for ten years as a Case Officer with Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The majority of his duty with the CIA was served abroad.

Throughout his 20-year federal career, Wade has received numerous individual and team awards, including the Inspector General's Award for his leadership role in the post-hurricane Katrina relief efforts, Commisioner's and Regional Commissioner's Citations and team awards and PCIE awards. In addition to these prestigious awards, Wade has received numerous performance awards as well as recognition for special acts or service.

Wade received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the California State University at Sacramento. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Fellows Program at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University.

ACTING EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Michael J. McGill

ACTING EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Michael J. McGill

After being accepted into the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) inaugural Leadership Development Program, Michael J. McGill is serving in a rotation as the Acting Executive Officer for the OIG. In this capacity, Mr. McGill provides high level consultative and advisory services on all activities and concerns of the OIG.

Mr. McGill began his public service career in 1995 as an Institutional Review Specialist with the U.S. Department of Education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1997, he joined the SSA/OIG as a Special Agent in its Salt Lake City, Utah office. He has subsequently held various positions at SSA/OIG headquarters, including Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge (ASAC) of the Fugitive Enforcement Division, ASAC of the Special Projects Team, and Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Strategic Research and Analysis Division.

In 1993, Mr. McGill graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education from West Chester University. He also holds a Master of Arts in Government Degree from the Johns Hopkins University.

Throughout his government career, Mr. McGill has received numerous awards for his meritorious service.

COUNSEL
TO THE INSPECTOR
GENERAL, AND ACTING INSPECTOR GENEAL FOR
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Jonathan Lasher

COUNSEL TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, AND ACTING INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Jonathan Lasher

Mr. Lasher received his Bachelor of Arts Degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland and engaged in the private practice of law before beginning his Federal government career. In 1994, he joined the Social Security Administration as a staff attorney in the Office of General Counsel's (OGC) Litigation Division.

In 1996, Mr. Lasher joined what would become the Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG) as one of four OGC attorneys assigned to legal representation of the newly-created SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

In the years since, Mr. Lasher has served SSA's Inspector General as a Supervisory Attorney-Advisor, Acting Deputy Counsel to the Inspector General, Director of Quality Assurance and Professional Responsibility, and most recently, Deputy Counsel to the Inspector General for External Relations. Mr. Lasher, under the direction of the Chief Counsel, is responsible for the OIG's Congressional, Media, and Public Relations, as well as the OIG's Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, and Public Disclosure functions, and serves as a legal advisor to the Inspector General's Executive Staff.

ASSISTANT INSPECTOR
GENERAL AUDIT
Steven L. Schaeffer

ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AUDIT
Steven L. Schaeffer

As the Assistant Inspector General for Audit, Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration (SSA), Steven L. Schaeffer is responsible for auditing and evaluating the business and program applications for an entity with income in excess of $675 billion and outlays of over $500 billion annually. An employee of SSA for over 23 years, Mr. Schaeffer held several positions of increasing responsibility in financial management prior to his current position. He developed and issued SSA's first audited financial statement in Fiscal Year (FY) 1987 and led the development and production of the Agency's Performance and Accountability Report through FY 1998. For his efforts, he has received numerous awards including three Commissioner Citations (the Agency's highest honor award); one of the first recipients of the Chief Financial Officers Council Committee Impact Award; and a "Hammer" for developing and issuing the first Accountability Report in the Federal Government. SSA's FY 1998 Accountability Report received one of the two initial Certificates of Excellence in Accountability Reporting awarded to Federal agencies from the Association of Government Accountants.

Prior to working for SSA, Mr. Schaeffer held positions with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Fort Sheridan, Illinois; U.S. Army Transportation Center, Fort Eustis, Virginia; and the OW Houts and Sons, State College, Pennsylvania. His educational background includes both Master and Bachelor of Science degrees from the Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore. Mr. Schaeffer has been a licensed CPA in Maryland since 1979 and a member of the Maryland Bar from 1984.

Outside of work, Mr. Schaeffer is an avid runner, skier, and golfer. As a long distance coach for a U.S. Track and Field running club, he has had the opportunity to work with young men and women who have won numerous titles at the State and Regional level. Several of his athletes have placed in the top 10 at National youth championships and have gone on to receive Division 1 A scholarships.

DEPUTY ASSISTANT
INSPECTOR GENERAL
FOR AUDIT
Gale Stallworth Stone

DEPUTY ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AUDIT
Gale Stallworth Stone

Mrs. Stone serves as the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audit for the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Before her promotion to this position in 2000, Mrs. Stone served as the Director of the Systems and the Financial Audit Divisions for 3 years. Mrs. Stone began her 16-year Federal career as a Cooperative Education Student in the Birmingham, Alabama, field office of the Department of Health and Human Services' OIG. In 1996, Vice President Gore honored Mrs. Stone with the Hammer Award for her significant contribution to the successful completion of the 1996 audit of SSA's financial statements. More recently, Gale was awarded the 2002 Inspector General Award in recognition for her outstanding support of the OIG's inaugural report on SSA's compliance with the Government Information Security Reform Act. In addition to these prestigious awards, Gale has received numerous performance awards as well as recognition for special acts or service. Gale is a member of the Baltimore Chapter of AGA where she has served as Editor and Secretary; and in addition, she was a past recipient of the Chapter's Special Achievement Award.

Mrs. Stone graduated Cum Laude' from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. She also holds a Masters of Science Degree in Information Systems from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and she is a Certified Public Accountant.

ACTING ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL, OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Rona Lawson

Ms. Lawson is the Acting Assistant Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) Office of Technology and Resource Management. Before beginning this assignment, Rona worked in the OIG's Office of Audit. Ms. Lawson started her audit career working to improve the integrity of SSA's programs in the Boston, Massachusetts office in 1989. Rona later served as an Audit Manager and Audit Director in Boston for several years. Over the years, Ms. Lawson has led audit staffs in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Falls Church, Kansas City, Dallas and Baltimore. In 2003, Rona became the Office of Audit's Executive Officer, where she coordinated nationwide audit activities and administrative functions.

Throughout her career, Ms. Lawson has received numerous individual and team awards, including Commissioner's Citations and Inspector General Awards. Rona's assignments have included many audits of SSA's disability programs, as well as recommending numerous improvements to reduce improper payments. Ms. Lawson has served on several special assignments and workgroups during her career, as well as leading peer reviews of the OIGs of the Agency for International Development and the Treasury Department. In 2000, Ms. Lawson was the first SSA OIG employee in the Council for Excellence in Government's Fellows Program. Also, in 2002, Rona completed Harvard University's JFK School of Government, Senior Executive Fellow Program.

Ms. Lawson is a Certified Public Accountant who graduated Magna Cum Laude' from Eastern Kentucky University and received her Masters of Science in Accounting from the University of Kentucky.

ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR
INVESTIGATIONS
Richard A. Rohde

ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR INVESTIGATIONS
Richard A. Rohde

Richard A. Rohde currently serves as the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations in the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Social Security Administration (SSA). Mr. Rohde started his law enforcement career in 1965 with the Metropolitan Police Department in St. Louis, Missouri. It was during this time that he completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri-St. Louis with the Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice and a Masters of Arts Degree from St. Louis University in Urban Affairs.

Mr. Rohde began a career with the United States Secret Service in December of 1975. While employed by the Secret Service, Mr. Rohde held the following positions: Special Agent - Springfield, Illinois, New York, New York, and Counterfeit Division -Washington, DC; Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge - Los Angeles, California; Special Agent in Charge - Counterfeit Division and the Baltimore Field Office; and Deputy Assistant Director - Office of Investigations.

In September of 1999, Mr. Rohde joined the SSA OIG as the Special Agent in Charge of External Affairs Division.

Throughout his government career, Mr. Rohde has received numerous awards for his meritorious service.

Mr. Rohde is married to Mary Johnette Rohde and they have one daughter, Sarah.

DEPUTY ASSISTANT
INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR INVESTIGATIONS - FIELD
OPERATIONS
Steve W. Mason

DEPUTY ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR INVESTIGATIONS - FIELD OPERATIONS
Steve W. Mason

Steven W. Mason currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Social Security Administration (SSA). Mr. Mason started his law enforcement career in 1968 with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. After serving two years as an undercover vice investigator, he became a member of the United States Park Police. It was during this time that he completed his college education at American University with a degree in Administration of Justice. Mr. Mason began a career with the United States Secret Service in December 1975. While employed by the Secret Service, Mr. Mason held the following positions: Special Agent, Organized Crime Strike Force; Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge, Miami; Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Vice Presidents Detail; Special Agent in Charge, Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge, Counterfeit Division; and Deputy Assistant Director for Investigations.

In January 1998, after completing his career with the Secret Service, Mr. Mason was employed as the National Director of Security for Dunbar Armored, a large, national armored car company headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. In June 1998 he returned to government service as a Special Agent, Office of Special Investigations, General Accounting Office, in Washington, D.C. In November 1998, Mr. Mason joined the SSA OIG as a Special Agent-in-Charge.

In May 2002, Mr. Mason graduated from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland with a Master of Arts degree in Management. At that time, he was elected to Delta Mu Delta, the National Honor Society in Business Administration.

Throughout his government career, Mr. Mason has received numerous awards for his meritorious service.

Mr. Mason is married to Mary Noel Mason and they have four children.

DEPUTY ASSISTANT
INSPECTOR GENERAL
FOR INVESTIGATIONS - NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE OPERATIONS
Dennis F. Lynch

DEPUTY ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR INVESTIGATIONS - NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE OPERATIONS
Dennis F. Lynch

Dennis F. Lynch currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations (National Investigative Operations). Mr. Lynch came to the SSA OIG as the Special Agent in Charge of the Strategic Enforcement Division in July 2000. Mr. Lynch began his law enforcement career with the U.S. Secret Service in October 1979. He held increasingly responsible positions in the Boston and New York Field Offices, the Vice Presidential Protective Division, Financial Crimes Division, the Baltimore Field Office, the Counterfeit Division, and the Office of Training. He retired from the Secret Service in 2000 as the Deputy Assistant Director for Protective Operations.

Mr. Lynch was a combat veteran with service in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1969 and 1974 to 1977. In 1973, he obtained a degree from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Throughout his government career, Mr. Lynch has received numerous awards for his meritorious service.