Long-serving Air Force civilian to retire

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  One of the Air Force's longest-serving civilians will retire Jan. 29 after nearly 49 years in federal service.

Nancy Beeson, currently the confidential assistant to Secretary of the Air Force Administrative Assistant Bill Davidson, began her career in civil service in 1961, having previously worked in the SAF public affairs and legislative liaison offices.

She later worked for the SAF inspector general as the front office secretary and has since supported 19 inspectors general.

Ms. Beeson cites her father, a former Government Accounting Office employee, and a cousin in the Army, among the inspirations for her foray into the civilian sector.

"I took classes in high school to prepare for a government job," said Ms.Beeson, whose uncles were in the Army Air Corps before transferring to the Air Force.

Ms. Beeson shared some of the most significant changes she noticed over nearly a half century in the Pentagon.

"Access to the buildings is much more controlled than when I came to work; it was basically open access," she said. "Most of that changed after 9/11.

She added that the technology explosion also indelibly changed the dynamic of the workplace.

"Early on we had only typewriters, archaic copiers and operators to make long distance calls, and the command post to make calls overseas," Ms. Beeson said.

From recalling the past to looking ahead, Ms. Beeson said her plans following retirement are simple.

"I'll just take it easy for a while and reconnect with some of my high school classmates to get a social life," she said.

Her front office colleague, Maj. Tara Valentine, SAF/AA executive officer, said she and fellow staff members wish Ms. Beeson the best in her life's next chapter.

"Nancy has been the true portrait of professionalism, teamwork and expertise over the years; her shoes will never be filled," Major Valentine said.

Ms. Beeson expressed gratitude for the advantages the Air Force afforded her for decades.

"I have had an awesome career with so many wonderful opportunities," Ms. Beeson said. "I have met some extraordinary people along the way and I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything."