Richard Patterson Named CGFS Chief Data Officer at U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Department of State has appointed Richard Patterson as the Chief Data Officer for the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services (CGFS). In this newly created role, Patterson will spearhead the bureau’s data strategy, governance, and management initiatives to better support the Department’s global mission.

A Seasoned Data and Technology Executive  

Patterson brings over 20 years of experience advising C-suite leaders on strategic technology planning, implementation, and operations. He specializes in information management, data governance, and enterprise architecture across sectors like government, consulting, and financial services.

Passion for Public Service

In his latest LinkedIn post, Patterson expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating he is grateful for the opportunity to serve as the first CGFS Chief Data Officer and looks forward to working across bureaus to support the mission through better data.

Proven Track Record of Data Leadership

Prior to the State Department, Patterson served as the Chief Data Officer at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, where he established the agency’s data governance program and strategy. He has also held data management leadership roles at major consulting firms.

Patterson holds a Master of Business Administration from George Mason University, a Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from UGA.

Driving a Data-Centric Vision  

In this new role, Patterson will collaborate closely with the Department’s Chief Data Officer Matthew Graviss. He is tasked with introducing consistent data governance processes, enabling self-service data access, and fostering a data-driven culture across CGFS. His efforts will support the Department’s overarching vision of becoming a more data-centric, evidence-based organization.