Marvin G. Richardson
Marvin G. Richardson was appointed as Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in October 2019. He previously served as the Acting Director under the Vacancies Act from June 2021 to April 2022. Mr. Richardson is responsible for leading an agency of men and women charged with enforcing laws and regulations related to firearms, explosives, arson, and alcohol and tobacco trafficking.
Mr. Richardson served as the Assistant Director, Enforcement Programs and Services (EPS), from December 2014 until October 2019, where he had ATF-wide responsibility for the development and delivery of programmatic policy, regulatory guidance, and technical support regarding firearms and explosives, and alcohol and tobacco diversion activities. In addition, he served as the Deputy Assistant Director, EPS, from 2012-2014.
Mr. Richardson’s career with ATF spans 35 years and includes service as the Special Agent in Charge of the Denver Field Division; Chair of the ATF Professional Review Board; Chief, National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR); and as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division. Mr. Richardson began his career with ATF in 1989 as a Special Agent in the Dallas Field Division. He has worked in law enforcement for 40 years, including 5 years as a police officer at the University of North Texas Police Department in Denton, Texas, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant before leaving the department to join ATF.
Mr. Richardson is a 2021 recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive Service for his role in leading ATF. In 2010, he was named ATF’s Supervisory Employee of the year. He has also received numerous Special Act Awards for outstanding service which includes the Treasury Department’s Hostile Action Medal for his service during the 1993 Branch Davidian conflict in Waco, Texas.
Mr. Richardson holds a Master’s Degree in Human Relations and Business from Amberton University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of North Texas. In addition, he is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class # 226). He is married with six children.
