Phyllis K. Fong, J.D.
Inspector General
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Phyllis K. Fong was sworn in as Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on December 2, 2002.

As Inspector General, Ms. Fong is the senior official responsible for conducting and supervising audits and evaluations, as well as investigations and law enforcement efforts, relating to USDA’s programs and operations. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides leadership in promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in USDA programs and addressing fraud, waste, and abuse.

Prior to her appointment at USDA, Ms. Fong had been the Inspector General of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) since April 1999. A career member of the Senior Executive Service, she had also held several positions at SBA OIG including Assistant Inspector General for Management and Legal Counsel (1994-1999) and Assistant Inspector General for Management and Policy (1988-1994). She also served as Assistant General Counsel for the Legal Services Corporation (1981-1983) and as an attorney with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (1978-1981).

Ms. Fong was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She graduated from Pomona College with a B.A. degree in Asian studies and earned her J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. Ms. Fong is a member of the Tennessee and District of Columbia bars. She and her husband, Paul Tellier, have two children.

 Source: http://www.usda.gov/agencies/gallery/fong.htm