<p> CMDCM (AW/SW) EVELYN “Vonn” BANKS, USN Retired</p><p>Command Master Chief Evelyn “Vonn” Banks retired from the military after 30 years of honorable service as the senior most enlisted female in the United States Navy.</p><p>Vonn Banks is the founder and CEO of Vonn Banks, LLC, a leadership business that encompasses “Everything Leadership.” Vonn Banks, LLC is a female, minority, disabled-veteran owned business, tailored to increase an individual, group, or company’s bottom line. Her business specializes in motivational speeches, keynote addresses, organizational leadership, conferences, workshops, and one-on-one coaching, tailored to meet the needs of leaders personally and professionally. </p><p>Born in the hills of Tennessee and raised in the cotton fields of Mississippi, she enlisted in the United States Navy and led in many trailblazing roles and positions. </p><p>With great vision and determination, she quickly advanced up the promotion ladder and became a pioneer, being the first female and/or first African American to serve in senior enlisted positions. She served on five different ships, USS Samuel Gompers, USS Arcadia, USS Decatur, USS Germantown, and USS Abraham Lincoln, making seven deployments. Ashore, she served at Navy Recruiting (Three Tours), NAS Adak Alaska, Diego Garcia, Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy, United States Naval Academy, and Naval Sea Systems Command. She credited her successes to God and her service to Him. Her signature approach was always, “How May I Serve You?”</p><p>While on active duty, Master Chief Banks earned many awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit (gold star); Meritorious Service Medal (gold star); Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four gold stars); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five gold stars); Good Conduct Medal (four bronze stars); National Defense Service Medal (bronze star); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal (bronze star); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. </p><p>Master Chief Banks also served as a spokesman on numerous occasions serving as an inspirational speaker and frontrunner on issues for the Navy. She also earned three college degrees and is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership. She was inducted into the Career Communications Group, Women of Color Hall of Fame.</p><p>Command Master Chief Banks’ ultimate goal in business is to help direct and advise people into their God ordained destinies. Her signature approach remains, “How May I Serve You?”</p><p>(Bio Updated as of August 2016)</p>