Retired U.S. Army Colonel Yvonne Prettyman-Beck announced the passing of retired Army Corps of Engineer member, James Braxton, on Wednesday evening.  Braxton served as the former director of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) at Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

James Braxton retired for the second time in December 2019, after serving in the military and then moving on to a career in the federal government. He was honored with the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Diversity Leadership in 2011 and also received other honors during his career.

During his 19 years as a career civil servant, Braxton held a variety of positions, including chief in the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at the headquarters of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) at the U.S. Army Material Command, labor relations specialist, and acting EEO manager at the Headquarters of Defense Logistics Agency.

Braxton received the “Managing for Excellence Award” from the Blacks in Government-Government Accountability Office Chapter in 2009.

Before his career in the federal government, Braxton served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army, retiring as a U.S. Army Colonel. He held several positions, including USACE provost marshal, 80th Training Command inspector general, and deputy chief of staff comptroller (G8).

Braxton held an MSA in Administration from Central Michigan University, a bachelor’s degree in business, and an associate in banking and finance from West Virginia State University. He also earned certificates in public leadership from the Brookings Institute and Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

He was a graduate of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Graduate School Executive Potential Program for Senior-Level Employees and the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College.

In an email, Colonel Beck wrote, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our former USACE EEO Director, Mr. James Braxton (retired Dec 2019). As the director, James made significant contributions to our team, fostered a positive work environment, and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence. We remember James as a passionate and hardworking individual who consistently went above and beyond to ensure the success of our program. Beyond his professional achievements, James will be remembered for his genuine care for his colleagues.”

Colonel Beck also shared that the Braxton family will organize a memorial gathering in Saluda, Virginia, to celebrate James’s life.