Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma (right) sits for an interview with State Magazine’s Multimedia Editor Amanda McCarthy (left), Aug. 8. Photo by Isaac D. Pacheco
Story and video by Amanda McCarthy
Richard R. Verma was sworn in as the fifth person to serve as the deputy secretary of state for management and resources (D-MR), April 5, a unique role that oversees the Department of State’s daily operations and long-term resource initiatives. In this role, Verma will also serve as principal advisor to the secretary of state and act as the chief operating officer of the Department, leading the Department’s efforts on modernization, foreign assistance, and a wide range of workforce and strategic issues.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Verma holds a Ph.D. from Georgetown University, a J.D. from American University, and served as a senior fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. In addition to a distinguished career in the private sector, Verma served as the U.S. ambassador to India, where he led one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions and championed historic progress in bilateral ties. He is also a former assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs and the former national security advisor to the Senate majority leader.
In just a few short months as D-MR, Verma has traveled on three overseas trips and visited more than 13 countries—including some high-profile posts—to meet face to face with the workforce. These visits help to inform his priorities and reiterate the importance of Department leadership working to build trust.
Verma sat down with State Magazine to share what he is learning from the field. He spoke about modernization, explained how closely success at home is tied to success in achieving the interests of the American people globally, and more. View the interview below.
Amanda McCarthy is the multimedia editor at State Magazine.
Click here to read full text transcript of the interview