Posted on November 11, 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District has selected Whitney McRae as Chief of Staff.
As Chief of Staff, Whitney will serve as a key advisor to the District Commander and senior leadership team, providing oversight and direction for the integration of district-wide priorities, executive operations, and cross-functional initiatives. In this role, she will synchronize efforts across the Vicksburg District staff, strengthen collaboration among divisions and offices, and help ensure the effective execution of programs, resources, and mission objectives. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing the district’s complex civil works, engineering, and other critical missions.
McRae recently graduated from the USACE Mississippi Valley Division’s Emerging Leader Program (ELP), a two-year professional development program focused on developing future leaders through leadership training, senior leader mentorship, and developmental assignments. The program strengthens participants’ leadership capabilities, broadens their perspectives, and deepens their understanding of the USACE vision and mission.
McRae began her career with the Vicksburg District in 2021 as a program analyst in the Programs and Project Management Division (PPMD). Most recently, she served as the district’s strategic planner. Prior to joining USACE, McRae served as the assistant compliance officer and academic advisor in the Athletic Department at Mississippi Christian University (formerly Mississippi College).
McRae obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the University of Mississippi in 2011 and her Master of Science degree in athletic administration from Mississippi Christian University in 2014.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District is engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges while advancing its commitment to building infrastructure, not paperwork. The district delivers vital missions across a 68,000-square-mile area spanning portions of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Its area of responsibility includes nine major river basins and approximately 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees, supporting flood risk reduction, navigation, environmental stewardship, and resilient infrastructure for the region.
