Dr. Beth Fleming became the Director of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in March 2025. As Director, she leads one of the most diverse research organizations in the world – seven laboratories located in four states, with more than 2,600 employees, $2B in facilities and a $2.2B annual program. Dr. Fleming also serves as Director of Research and Development (R&D) and Chief Scientist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). In that role, she is responsible for creating policy and performing strategic planning, direction and oversight of R&D for USACE military and Civil Works programs and for the Warfighter. She advises the Chief of Engineers on matters of science and technology (S&T) and sets conditions for success in all S&T conducted throughout USACE. She has been a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) for 19 years and served in an Acting SES position four years prior to SES appointment. As a SES, she also served as Mississippi Valley Division Regional Business Director, USACE ERDC Deputy Director, Acting CIO/G6 and Director of the USACE ERDC Environmental Laboratory.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY:
• Director, ERDC, and Director of R&D and Chief Scientist, USACE, March 2025 to present
• Regional Business Director, USACE Mississippi Valley Division, April 2023 to March 2025
• Deputy Director, USACE Engineer Research and Development Center, September 2017 to April 2023
• Acting USACE CIO/G-6, January 2018 to May 2018
• Director, USACE Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, June 2006 to September 2017
COLLEGE:
• PhD, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2000
• MS, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, Chemical / Environmental Engineering, 1994
• BS, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, Chemical Engineering, 1988
SIGNIFICANT TRAINING:
• Army Senior Leader Communication
• Force Integration / Management Course for Senior Leaders
• Supervisor Development – Executive Level
• Federal Executive Institute
• McChrystal Senior Executive Training
CERTIFICATIONS:
• SPRDE – Program Systems Engineer Level II Certification
• SPRDE – Program Systems Engineer Level III Certification
AWARDS AND HONORS:
• Superior Civilian Service Award, 2022
• Distinguished Presidential Rank Award, 2018
• Army Engineer Association Bronze Order of the DeFleury, 2016
• Lower Mississippi River Conservation Award, conferred by 4 President Appointees, 2014
• USACE Program Development Award, 2014
• Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women, 2007
• Meritorious Civilian Service Award, 2006
• Mississippi State University Distinguished Fellow, 2003
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS:
• (3) Mississippi State University Distinguished Fellow, Vice President Research Board, Civil and Environmental Engineering Board
• Society of American Military Engineers
MAJOR PUBLICATIONS:
• Approximately 100 journal and technical report publications