Terry A. Yonkers
Encyclopedia
Terry A. Yonkers is the current United States
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment & Logistics)
, having held that office since May 7, 2010.
, graduating with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Biology
in 1972, and an advanced degree in Education
in 1973.
From 1976 to 1980, Yonkers worked as a biologist
for Southern California Edison
in Rosemead, California
. He became the environmental coordinator of the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base
in 1980, holding this position until 1984. He spent 1984-85 as regulatory liaison and environmental engineer at the United States Air Force
Regional Civil Engineering Office in Dallas. In 1985, he became Deputy Director Environmental Programs for the Air Force Systems Command
at Andrews Air Force Base
, holding this position until 1990. He then served as Deputy Director and Chief of Environmental Programs at the Air Force Base Conversion Agency in Arlington County, Virginia
from 1990 to 1996. During this time, he also studied at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
, receiving a master's degree
in national security studies in 1993. From 1996 to 2000, he was Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations & Environment) at the Pentagon
. During this period, in 1999, he attended the Executive Program of the Tepper School of Business
. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health 2000-2002. He also earned an M.P.A. from George Mason University
in 2001.
Yonkers left public service in 2002, joining Arcadis NV
in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
as Senior Vice President (Business Development). He worked there until 2010.
In 2010, President of the United States
Barack Obama
nominated Yonkers to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment & Logistics)
and he was sworn into office on May 7, 2010.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment & Logistics)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment & Logistics)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force is the title of a civilian office in the United States Department of the Air Force...
, having held that office since May 7, 2010.
Biography
Terry A. Yonkers was educated at University of California, RiversideUniversity of California, Riverside
The University of California, Riverside, commonly known as UCR or UC Riverside, is a public research university and one of the ten general campuses of the University of California system. UCR is consistently ranked as one of the most ethnically and economically diverse universities in the United...
, graduating with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
in 1972, and an advanced degree in Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
in 1973.
From 1976 to 1980, Yonkers worked as a biologist
Biologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
for Southern California Edison
Southern California Edison
Southern California Edison , the largest subsidiary of Edison International , is the primary electricity supply company for much of Southern California, USA. It provides 14 million people with electricity...
in Rosemead, California
Rosemead, California
Rosemead is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 53,764. Rosemead is part of a cluster of cities, along with Arcadia, Temple City, Monterey Park, San Marino, and San Gabriel, in the west San Gabriel Valley with a growing Asian...
. He became the environmental coordinator of the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
in 1980, holding this position until 1984. He spent 1984-85 as regulatory liaison and environmental engineer at the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Regional Civil Engineering Office in Dallas. In 1985, he became Deputy Director Environmental Programs for the Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command is a former United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland...
at Andrews Air Force Base
Andrews Air Force Base
Joint Base Andrews is a United States military facility located in Prince George's County, Maryland. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 11th Wing, Air Force District of Washington ....
, holding this position until 1990. He then served as Deputy Director and Chief of Environmental Programs at the Air Force Base Conversion Agency in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
from 1990 to 1996. During this time, he also studied at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
The Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
, receiving a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in national security studies in 1993. From 1996 to 2000, he was Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations & Environment) at the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
. During this period, in 1999, he attended the Executive Program of the Tepper School of Business
Tepper School of Business
The Tepper School of Business is a private business school located on Carnegie Mellon University’s campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.The school consistently ranks highly among the top business schools in the U.S., as well as in a wide range of specializations, such as finance,...
. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health 2000-2002. He also earned an M.P.A. from George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
in 2001.
Yonkers left public service in 2002, joining Arcadis NV
Arcadis NV
Arcadis N.V. is an international company providing consultancy, design, engineering and management services in infrastructure, environment, buildings and waste water. Arcadis develops, designs, implements, maintains and operates projects for companies and governments...
in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Highlands Ranch is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 96,713 at the 2010 census; it is one of the most populous unincorporated communities in the United States...
as Senior Vice President (Business Development). He worked there until 2010.
In 2010, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
nominated Yonkers to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment & Logistics)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment & Logistics)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force is the title of a civilian office in the United States Department of the Air Force...
and he was sworn into office on May 7, 2010.