Rich Rasa joined the Education Department Office of Inspector General more than 30 years ago in the summer of 1982.  Rich has been the Director of the OIG’s State and Local Advisory and Assistance staff since 1991.  The State and Local A&A team is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing matters related to audits of the U.S. Department of Education elementary and secondary education programs, Rehabilitative Services Administration programs, as well as Higher Education Programs.  Rich helped lead the Department’s Cooperative Audit Resolution and Oversight Initiative (CAROI), and he and his staff have participated in the initiative since its inception in 1994.

Rich began his work with ED OIG as an auditor in the Headquarters Audit Region in 1982.  For three years, he was the Assistant Regional Inspector General for the Headquarters Audit Region focusing primarily in Student Financial Assistance audits before being promoted to his current position.

Prior to coming to the Education Department, Rich was an auditor and an inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Inspector General, Foreign Operations Staff and conducted audits and inspections of U.S. agriculture programs primarily overseas.  Prior to his tenure at the USDA, he was an accountant for the Bechtel Power Corporation.

Rich is a graduate of St. Francis College in Loretto, PA with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.  He is a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).  He is the Past President of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Washington DC Chapter and held various positions in the Chapter including Vice President for Professional Development and Membership.  Rich was awarded the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators Distinguished Service Award in 2006 for his work with state and local education programs. Previous award recipients have been Members of Congress, a Secretary of Education, and Title I Directors.  Rich has participated as a member of the Steering Committee for the Association of Government Accountant’s Partnership for Intergovernmental Management and Accountability since its inception in 2007.  In 2010 Rich was awarded the President’s Award from the Association of Government Accountants for his work on the Intergovernmental Partnership.  In 2013, he received the AGA President’s Award for his CAROI efforts and the AGA Intergovernmental Partnership Steering Committee awarded him The Innovator Award.  He was a soccer coach for his daughters’ teams for 15 years and still teaches Children’s Liturgy at Holy Redeemer Church.  Rich resides in Kensington, MD with his wife Catherine and his two daughters Mary Kate and Colleen.