Yvonne Prettyman-Beck
Yvonne P. is a retired military officer and distinguished leader with over 44 years of service in the United States Army Corps of Engineers and federal civilian roles. She grew up around Fort Hood, Texas, and initially planned to attend medical school at the University of Texas at Austin. Instead, she attended the New Mexico Military Institute from 1977 to 1979, where she was part of the first female cadre admitted to the campus. After completing her junior college education and serving two years in the Texas National Guard, Yvonne was commissioned into the Medical Service Corps but soon welcomed into the Army Corps of Engineers, reporting to Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She served 27½ years in the Corps, retiring in 2008 as a colonel and Chief of Staff of the entire U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Following retirement, Yvonne returned as a civilian leader, managing Civil Works programs during the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Bipartisan Budget Act, overseeing over $30 billion in infrastructure funds. In October 2023, General Scott Spellman called her back to serve as Chief of Staff in a civilian capacity and as Special Assistant to the Commanding General through December 2024. Her tenure included managing major events such as the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, standing up the Puerto Rico Engineer District, and overseeing hurricane funding and other significant civil works projects. She was inducted into the USACE Gallery of Distinguished Civilians, one of the Corps’ highest honors, becoming the first African American female to command both the Norfolk Engineer District and the 84th Engineer Combat Heavy Battalion in Hawaii.
Throughout her career, Yvonne earned numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal—the highest peacetime military honor—Defense Military Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism awards, Volunteer Awards, Army Staff and Joint Staff Identification Badges, and the Silver and Bronze de Fleury Medals. She holds a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the National War College and a Master’s in Management from Texas A&M University–Central Texas. Known for her mentorship, dedication, and trailblazing leadership, Yvonne continues to inspire colleagues and emerging leaders while leaving a lasting legacy in the Corps’ 250-year history.
• New Mexico Military Institute - AS, Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
• Angelo State University - BS, Biology
• Texas A&M University–Central Texas - Master's degree, Management
• National War College - Master's degree, National Security & Strategic Studies
• Inducted into USACE Gallery of Distinguished Civilians
• Distinguished Service Medal
• Defense Military Service Medals
• Global War of Terrorism Awards
• Volunteer Awards
• Army Staff Identification Badge
• Joint Staff Identification Badge
• Silver de Fleury Medal
• Bronze de Fleury Medal
• Army Engineer Association (AEA)
• National Guard Association (Lifetime Member)
• New Mexico Military Institute Alumni (Lifetime Member)
• Mentoring young women through daughter's network
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the foundation and upbringing my mother provided. She raised three daughters after my stepfather died when I was in sixth grade, and she was a disciplinarian who always talked about making the harder right choices, doing what's right, and treating people with dignity and respect. She worked hard to ensure we weren't wanting for anything - she wasn't on food stamps or anything like that, it was just a hard-working life raising her three daughters. Those values of dignity, respect, and hard work are what I instilled in my own children and what guided me throughout my military and civilian career. I'm very proud of what she accomplished for us, including sending me off to military school. It really starts with your upbringing, your foundation, and the people that influence your life, and I would say that would be my mother and watching her do what she needed to do to ensure that we had even a better life.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
As an African American woman in the Army Corps of Engineers, I understood early on that representation matters. Today, I remain committed to guiding and supporting young women particularly through my daughter’s business and through ongoing connections with military and engineering communities. Watching leaders like General Antoinette Gant rise to new heights is both inspiring and a reminder that progress, while hard-won, is real.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As the first African American female to command the Norfolk Engineer District and the 84th Engineer Combat Heavy Battalion, I broke significant barriers in a male-dominated field, which historically comes with unique challenges
Gender Integration: was part of the first female cadre at New Mexico Military Institute (1977-79), entering during the early years of women's integration into military academies
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me come from my mother's example and teachings. She raised three daughters alone after my stepfather died when I was in sixth grade, and she was a disciplinarian who always talked about making the harder right choices, doing what's right, and treating people with dignity and respect. She worked hard and never relied on the system or anyone - she just worked hard to ensure we weren't wanting for anything. Those values of dignity, respect, hard work, and making the harder right choices are what I've tried to instill in my own children and grandchildren, and they've guided me throughout my entire military and civilian career. It's all about the people, your leadership skills, building teams, and rolling up your sleeves like everybody else to ensure you get the mission accomplished.
Locations
US Army Corps of Engineers
Mitchellville, MD 20721