Duane Townsend is the Acting Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Commerce. In this role, he leads a nationwide workforce of investigators, auditors, evaluators, attorneys, and support staff. Their mission is to provide independent oversight to promote accountability, integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within the Department of Commerce.

Duane has over thirty years combined military and civilian federal service and has been a federal criminal investigator since 1994. He joined the Commerce Office of Inspector General (OIG) in 2013 and has held the position of Special Agent in Charge within the Office of Investigations since 2014. As Special Agent in Charge, he led multiple teams in conducting federal criminal, civil, and administrative investigations.

Before joining OIG, Duane spent 22 years in the United States Army, first as an infantryman and then as a Special Agent with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID). During his CID career, he served as the Special Agent in Charge at four CID Offices and as Director of Investigative Operations for all offices in the Northeast United States, the Pacific, and Afghanistan. He culminated his Army career as the Chief of Investigative Operations and Policy for CID headquarters. Duane's overseas military assignments included tours in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq, and multiple tours in South Korea. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and multiple Meritorious Service Medals. He is also a recipient of the Department of Commerce Bronze Award and the Department of Commerce OIG’s Distinguished Service Award.

Duane is a native of Salisbury, MD. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Towson University and a master’s degree in forensic sciences from National University.