Gary Barksdale will serve as acting chief postal inspector, effective Dec. 31.
Barksdale, a 19-year Inspection Service employee, has served as deputy chief inspector for the past three years.
Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan announced his appointment in a memo this week. The current chief postal inspector, Guy Cottrell, will retire Dec. 31.
“Gary has been instrumental in leading strategic planning and governance, response to critical incidents, and development of criminal programs to enhance the investigative and enforcement capabilities of the Inspection Service,” Brennan wrote.
“He has been especially effective at driving Inspection Service strategies to enhance drug interdiction, strengthening relationships with partner law enforcement organizations — including Customs and Border Patrol, Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Drug Enforcement Agency — and in representing the Inspection Service with members of Congress.”
Barksdale began his career as a postal inspector in Los Angeles and later served as assistant inspector in charge in Phoenix and postal inspector in charge of field operations in Washington, DC, and Houston.
He recently completed a detail assignment as the Postal Service’s acting district manager in Northern New England District.