Althea Coetzee

Althea Helen "Allie" Coetzee is a rear admiral in the United States Navy who currently serves as Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration. Prior to assuming her current role, she served as Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Coetzee was confirmed as Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration by the U.S. Senate on August 3, 2017.

Coetzee graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985. She went on to receive a Master of Business Administration degree from National University. In graduate school, she was awarded the American Jurisprudence Award in Criminal Law. After transitioning to the United States Navy Reserve in 1993, she had a civilian career working in municipal and state government, retail distribution, medical device manufacturing, and the United States Department of Defense. She was recalled to active duty in 2011.

Coetzee's military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.