Des Moines Regional Office

Director: Tracie Pinkston

As the Director of the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) Des Moines Regional Office, Tracie establishes policies and procedures consistent with VA guidelines, provides executive leadership and direction to approximately 230 employees, manages available financial and human capital resources, directs programs for quality control in operations, as well as actively participates in outreach efforts in Iowa Veteran communities.

Tracie began her VA career as a work study under the Student Career Experience Program as a Program Support Assistant in the Phoenix National Call Center in 2008. She transferred to the Support Services Division (SSD) under SCEP as an Accountant and held numerous positions increasing in responsibility within SSD at the Phoenix Regional Office. She moved through the ranks from Supervisory Financial Administrative Specialist, Assistant SSD Chief, and into the Support Services Chief position in 2018. Prior to this appointment, Tracie served as Assistant Director at the Phoenix Regional Office from November 2019. 

Tracie is originally from Tulsa, OK. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Finance from the University of Phoenix, and enjoys spending her leisure time with her family, traveling, and supporting her children’s athletics.

Supervisory Program Specialist: Heidi Rhodes

Heidi Rhodes was appointed as the Supervisory Program Specialist of the Des Moines Regional Office in October 2024. Heidi is responsible for overseeing payment of compensation and pension annual benefits to Veterans and their families in the state of Iowa. Prior to her current position, she served as the Veterans Service Center Manager of the Des Moines Regional Office. She previously served as the VA Officer in Charge at the Pittsburgh Regional Office’s Germany BDD Office. Prior to her assignment in Germany, she served as a Coach at the Nashville Regional Office. She started with the VA as a Veterans Service Representative at the Columbia Regional Office. In 2000 Heidi began her career assisting Veterans with the Veterans Service Organization, Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Heidi is a 2015 graduate of the Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) program and a 2018 graduate of the Leadership Enrichment and Progression (LEAP) program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from the University of South Carolina. She resides in Iowa with her family. 

Veteran Readiness and Employment Officer: Randal Beyer

Mr. Beyer began his career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) in the Lincoln Nebraska Regional Office on September 13, 2004.  Mr. Beyer transferred to Fort Harrison, Montana in 2007 to work as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. In 2011 Mr. Beyer was promoted as the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Officer in the Des Moines Regional Office.

Mr. Beyer graduated from Montana State University-Billings with a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in May 2003. Mr. Beyer attended Supervisory Management Training in Baltimore in 2011. He attended Advanced Management Training in Baltimore in 2012.

Mr. Beyer became a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) in October 2003 and has maintained this certification to present. 

Support Services Chief: Kathleen Taylor

Kathleen Taylor joined the Department of Veteran Affairs in August 2004 as a Management Analyst at the Reno Regional Office. Prior to her assignment to Des Moines in June 2014, she was the Support Services Division Chief at the Boise Regional Office. Kathleen earned Master of Arts degree in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2003.