Dean
Lefor

Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Management — NASA OIG
PhD Student, Public Administration — Virginia Tech
Board of Trustees — Fairfax County Public Library

Federal oversight professional, public administration researcher, and civic servant. Focused on government accountability, public institutions, and public-sector AI governance.

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01

🛰

Federal
Oversight

NASA Office of Inspector General

As Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Management, I support leadership in overseeing the full range of management operations at NASA's OIG. I directly manage budget, procurement, policies, and day-to-day operations, with active interests in AI governance and organizational strategy for an independent oversight office.

02

📐

Doctoral
Study

Virginia Tech — PAPA Program

My doctoral studies focus on public administration, public organizations, and leadership. I am interested in how institutions develop and change, and how organizational structures shape effective and accountable government.

03

📚

Civic
Service

Fairfax County Public Library

As a member of the Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees, I help steward one of the nation's premier public library systems. My work supports FCPL's mission to promote literacy, foster community, and ensure free and confidential access to information — guided by principles of excellent service, intellectual freedom, and responsible stewardship for all residents of Fairfax County.

Research Interests

Public Institutions, Leadership, and Accountability

My research interests include public administration, organizational theory, and government accountability. I am interested in how public institutions develop and change, how leadership and organizational structures shape their work, and how oversight contributes to effective government.

Civic Interests

Public Libraries, Information Access, and Community

My interest in public libraries connects civic service with broader questions about public institutions. I am interested in how libraries serve their communities, support access to information, and adapt to changing public needs.

Areas of Interest

Public Administration  ·  Organizational Theory  ·  Public Leadership  ·  Government Accountability  ·  Federal Oversight  ·  Public Library Policy  ·  Information Access and Policy  ·  AI Governance in the Public Sector  ·  Inspector General Independence

Present

Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Management

NASA Office of Inspector General

Supports the Assistant Inspector General for Management in leading management operations across the Office of Inspector General. Provides direction and oversight for budget, procurement, policy, and administrative functions, with a focus on strengthening internal controls, improving organizational effectiveness, and aligning resources with mission priorities. Brings a strategic public management perspective to operational decision-making, with active interests in AI governance, organizational strategy, federal oversight institutions, and the responsible use of technology in government.

Present

Board of Trustees Member

Fairfax County Public Library

Appointed by district supervisor to the governing board of one of the largest public library systems in the United States. Supports FCPL's mission to promote literacy, foster community, and ensure free and confidential access to information through excellent service and responsible stewardship.

Present

PhD Student, Public Administration

Virginia Tech — PAPA Program

Doctoral study in the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech, with coursework in policy process theory, quantitative methods, public administration, and leadership. My interests include public organizations, leadership, federal oversight, and government accountability.

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Education

Academic Degrees

 

Master of Public Administration  ·  University of North Dakota
B.S., Business Administration (Finance)  ·  North Dakota State University
B.S., Psychology  ·  North Dakota State University

Prior

Earlier Federal Service

NASA OIG  ·  U.S. Department of Education

Over 18 years of federal service across two agencies, building expertise in management, oversight operations, and government administration.

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