Andre Sayles

Andrea Sayles a U.S. Department of Energy Principal Deputy Director who conducts

civil rights, equal employment opportunity, and diversity and inclusion among minority

educational institutions, underrepresented communities, and minority businesses. Has become on

of the few civilians who serve both a military general officer and a member of the Federal

Government. Throughout Mr. Sayles military career he received, The Distinguished Service

Medal, The Legion of Merit, The Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Achievement Medal,

and The National Defense Service Medal.

April 22, of 1951 Andre H. Sayles was born to be the third child of Ms. Augusta

Austin Sayles. According to Erica Sayles, this younger sister of Andrea Sayles, Andre grew up

in a small rural area in Wythe Co. Virginia (a small neighborhood called Piney to be

exact). He was raised in a lower class African American family while having one brother

and seven sisters.

His mother and father (which are now deceased) Augusta Sayles and Warren H.

Sayles had a profound impact on him in achieving high educational success. Augusta Sayles (his

mother) was considered to be the driving force to push Andre to reach a higher level of education

due to the fact that Jim Crow laws became a gigantic roadblock for many young African

Americans at that time in the South.

In 1969, Andre Sayles graduated from Fort Chiswell High School. Mr. Sayles would

not stop there he would then go on to attend West Point Academy where Mr. Ashe, a Fort

Chiswell assistant principal, took him on various campus visits. At West Point Andre would

graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Sayles would shortly

enter the Army Corps as a second lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers.
 During his time in the army Andre was promoted as head professor of the Department of

Electrical Engineering program. He would also serve as Senior African-American officer and

advisor to the Academy Leadership on Minority Affairs.

In the midst of Andres military career he decided to further his education in Electrical

Engineering obtaining a Master of Science degree from 1981-1983 and a Ph.D., both in

Electrical Engineering at the university of Georgia Tech from 1987-1990. He also received his

Master of Science in General Management and a Master of Arts in National Security and

Strategic Studies.

After retirement Mr. Sayles joined the U.S. Department of Energy as the Principal

Deputy Director in September of 2013. Mr. Sayles is also still giving back to his hometown

Wythe Co. Virginia, by giving an address for Fort Chiswell High Schools graduating seniors

once in 1998 and another time in 2014. He also gives speeches at local charity events, and black

history programs in the area of Southwest Virginia.