Advocate Drum, the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, announced today that Michael S. McFadden will serve as its Executive Director, effective August 5, 2024. “The Selection Committee ran a national search and Mr. McFadden clearly rose to the top. He understands and believes in the mission of Advocate Drum and will be a strong advocate for the community, Fort Drum and the Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division”, stated David J. Zembiec, chair of the organization.
“We are excited to have Michael join the Advocate Drum team. His leadership, communication, and relationship building skills, along with his enthusiasm and love of the North Country make him the right person to serve as Executive Director at Advocate Drum. He understands the Army, the 10th Mountain Division and the importance of growing and cultivating the unique relationship this community has with our military,” added Mr. Zembiec.
Mr. McFadden is a 32-year veteran of the United States Army, having served nearly 10 of those years on assignments at Fort Drum. He is a native of Mandeville, LA. He first served at Fort Drum in 1990 as a flight medic, where he also served as the unit representative for the Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic (MAST) program. In that role, he integrated with local fire and rescue units throughout the North Country in support of emergency medical evacuation by helicopter for civilians.
Mr. McFadden was again stationed with the 10th Mountain Division in 2010 as Chief Executive Officer/Task Force Commander for aviation and deployed to Eastern Afghanistan in support of medical evacuation for service members. He then advanced to Deputy Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the operating budget and leading planning and preparation of the organization for combat operations in Afghanistan. Subsequently, he served as the Chief Executive Officer/Task Force Commander in Ansbach, Germany, where he supervised the planning and execution of multiple training programs across Europe and NATO countries. His continued advance included Deputy Chief of Staff for the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Enterprise, AL; Director of Aviation Operations/Chief of Plan for the US Army XVII Airborne CORPS, Fort Bragg, NC; and Chief Executive Officer for the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Savannah, GA/Europe.
McFadden has a Bachelor of Science (Criminal Justice) from Touro University, and a Master of Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He was also a Senior Military Fellow at Syracuse University, a program affiliated with the U.S. Army War College.
After retiring from the Army, Mr. McFadden worked several years at Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation as a senior manager in the manufacturing of executive business/personal aircraft. He and his wife, Shery, a Lowville native, recently moved back to the North Country and now live in Croghan, NY. They have three sons—two of whom are in college.
“Mike understands service to his country and community. He has worked with volunteers and has experienced the importance of military community relations at other installations. He brings all of that to his role as Executive Director for Advocate Drum”, said Mr. Zembiec.
“Personally and professionally, my life has been intertwined with the North Country since my first stationing here in 1990”, said Mr. McFadden. “I married in Lowville; one of our sons was born here; and all three of them were baptized here. After 20 military moves, we have settled in the one place we have always felt at home. It will be an honor and a privilege to serve the community through my new role with Advocate Drum.”
Advocate Drum is a member-based organization dedicated to protect and enhance Fort Drum’s military value; sustain and leverage its economic and cultural significance to the Fort Drum region and New York State; and foster effective communication between the installation and its civilian neighbors to promote mutual support and understanding.
