James “Jim” Breckenridge began his government career as a Special Agent with the US Secret Service in 1999. As a Secret Service Agent, Jim, conducted criminal investigations and computer forensic activities for various financial crimes, identity fraud schemes and for threats made against Secret Service protectees. During his tenure, Jim also performed executive protective assignments worldwide for the President, Vice President, foreign heads of state and other Secret Service protectees. Jim also served on the permanent protective details for the Secretary of Homeland Security and Vice President.
In 2008, Jim joined the OIG community as a Special Agent in the Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations Albuquerque office conducting a multitude of criminal, civil and administrative investigations while also performing computer forensics and cyber investigations related to DOE and NNSA programs and personnel throughout the Southwestern United States. Jim served in OI’s Relief Agent in Charge leadership development program to garner foundational leadership skills.
From 2010 to 2015, Jim was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge leading the day-to-day investigative mission for OI’s personnel in Albuquerque, Chicago, Las Vegas and Denver charged with overseeing thousands of people and billions of government dollars spent through Department sites and programs.
From 2015 to 2022, Jim led OI’s Western Investigations Operations (WFO) team as the SAC, providing investigative, operational and strategic leadership to WFO’s team of investigators and professional staff responsible for conducting investigations impacting Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) sites, programs, and people for half of the United States. Jim served as the mentor for OI’s Leadership Development Program for three years and led multiple high-profile impactful contract fraud investigations.
Starting in July 2022, Jim led the Office of Investigations Headquarters Operations (HQ OPS) team as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC). In this role, Jim provided operational and strategic leadership and direction for a nationwide based HQ OPS team serving OI’s cadre in areas of National Investigative Operations oversight; Law Enforcement Training & Staff Development; Budget, Finance and Procurement Operations; Policy and Quality Assurance; and Human Resource needs.
In November 2024, Jim was promoted to serve as the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for the Office of Investigations at the Department OIG. In this role, in partnership with the AIGI, Jim provides strategic executive leadership and oversight for all people, mission functions and operations of the Office of Investigations.
Throughout his more than 25-year career, Jim, and the teams he has led, have returned hundreds of millions of dollars to the Federal government and held people and companies accountable for their actions through criminal, civil and administrative investigations. As recognition of these impactful results, Jim and his teams have received multiple Counsel of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Awards for Investigative Excellence, while also being recognized with multiple OIG Awards for Excellence and awards from external prosecutors and investigative partners for outstanding achievement.
Jim is a Certified Fraud Examiner and holds a Master of Criminal Justice degree and two bachelor’s degrees from New Mexico State University. Jim is a graduate of the Office of Personnel Management’s Federal Executive Institute, and a member of the Senior Executive Service. To help grow the next generation of Criminal Justice professionals, Jim teaches on-line Criminal Justice courses for New Mexico State University in his off time. Jim has been married for over 25 years, is a proud father to two children and as a native of the southwestern US, Jim enjoys spending time with his family and dog doing outdoor activities.