Maj Nakeshia G. Dean
Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development
Faculty Senator 2026-2027
Maj NaKeshia G. Dean is Director, Defense Financial Management Course at the Defense Financial Management and Comptroller School, Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development, Maxwell Air Force Base Alabama. She is responsible for leading a team of instructors who develop, maintain, and provide instruction for educational materials that further advance the knowledge, critical thinking ability, and leadership skills of Department of Defense Financial Management professionals. Additionally, she oversees ongoing curriculum refinement, strategic class planning, and inter-agency coordination. She actively drives outreach initiatives to ensure all academic programs align with evolving defense financial management objectives, fostering continuous improvement in instructional delivery and stakeholder engagement.
Major Dean is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. She entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Alabama State University, Det 019, in May 2012. She has served in a variety of financial management positions at the wing, center, and major command level. Prior to her current position, the major attended professional military education in-residence at Air Command and Staff College located at Maxwell AFB, Alabama where she earned her Master of Military Operational Art and Science degree.
EDUCATION
2012 Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Alabama State University, Montgomery
2012 Basic Financial Management Officer Course, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
2013 Master of Accountancy, Alabama State University, Montgomery
2018 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Professional Financial Management Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Defense Financial Management Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2025 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2025 Eaker Center Academic Instructor Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2026 Enhanced Learning and Instructional Techniques Enrichment Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2012 – December 2013, Flight Commander, Financial Services, Financial Management Directorate, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2. December 2013 – June 2015, Flight Commander, Financial Services and Budget Analyst, 42d Comptroller Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
3. June 2015 – January 2018, Airborne Warning and Control System Budget Analyst, Battle Management Directorate, Hanscom AFB, Mass. (October 2016–May 2017, Deputy Director, J8, NATO Special Operations Command-Afghanistan, Camp Vance, Afghanistan)
4. January 2018 – February 2020, Director of Operations and Flight Commander, Financial Analysis, 374th Comptroller Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan
5. February 2020 – May 2022, Major Command Budget Analyst, Financial Management Directorate, Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
6. June 2022 – June 2024, Commander, 319th Comptroller Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
7. June 2024 – May 2025, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. May 2025 – present, Director, Defense Financial Management Course and Instructor, Defense Financial Management & Comptroller School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2015 Department of Defense Financial Management Certification Level I
2015 Certified Defense Financial Manager
2017 Department of Defense Financial Management Certification Level II
2017 Acquisition Professional Development Program Business Financial Management Certification Level I
2024 Department of Defense Financial Management Certification Level III
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Society of Defense Financial Managers
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 23, 2012
First Lieutenant May 23, 2014
Captain May 23, 2016
Major December 1, 2021
(Current as of June 2026)