Bill Bowden is a retired Verizon Delaware executive and past president of the Delaware Quality Award. He also served eight years in state government as the executive director of the Department of Technology and Information. He resides in Ocean View.
Pending state Senate confirmation, Robert Storch has been selected to lead Delaware’s new, independent Office of the Inspector General — a long-overdue step forward for transparency and accountability in state government.
Credit is due to the many Delawareans who have pushed for this reform for more than two decades. The creation of this office reflects a growing recognition that effective oversight is not optional — it is essential to good government.
But the natural questions now are: Who is Robert Storch, and is he the right person for the job?
A recent interview offers a clear answer. Storch brings a rare combination of experience, judgment and philosophy that makes him exceptionally well suited to build this office from the ground up.
Most notably, he served as the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Defense, one of the largest and most complex organizations in the world. In that role, he oversaw extensive audits and investigations, while navigating institutional resistance and competing priorities. His experience is not theoretical — it is operational. He has done this work at scale, and that matters, as Delaware establishes a credible and effective watchdog from Day 1.
Just as important is his understanding of the role itself. Storch emphasizes that inspectors general are responsible for identifying “waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement,” while also improving how government functions. That balance is critical. Oversight should not be reflexively adversarial; it should strengthen institutions, while holding them accountable. For a brand-new office in a small state, that approach will help build trust without sacrificing rigor.
Storch also demonstrates a firm commitment to independence. Effective oversight requires insulation from political pressure, paired with the ability to engage constructively with agency leaders. His experience underscores the importance of both strong legal authority and professional norms that protect the integrity of the office. That credibility will be essential in ensuring that Delaware’s inspector general is respected, not sidelined.
Equally encouraging is his forward-looking mindset. Storch understands that modern oversight must evolve — using better data, stronger investigative tools and more sophisticated auditing techniques. Delaware has a unique opportunity to design a best-in-class Inspector General Office, and his approach suggests that he will build for the future, not replicate outdated models.
Finally, he communicates with clarity and purpose. In discussing complex oversight issues, he is direct and accessible — an essential trait for building public confidence and transparency.
Taken together, Robert Storch brings the experience, discipline and vision needed at this pivotal moment. Delaware is not just filling a position; it is establishing an institution. With Storch at the helm, it has the opportunity to get it right from the start.
We are fortunate he has accepted the challenge.
Welcome to Delaware, Mr. Storch.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
