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Advocate Drum Announces Edward W. Keel as New Executive Director
Advocate Drum, the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, announced today that Edward W. “Fritz” Keel will serve as its Executive Director, effective June 4, 2018.
“The Selection Committee ran a national search and Mr. Keel 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,” added Mrs. Corriveau.
“We are eager to have Fritz join the FDRLO team. His leadership, communication, and relationship building skills, along with his enthusiasm 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,” said Mary M. Corriveau, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization. Mr Keel said, “Strengthening current relationships, building new ones, and highlighting Soldier contributions to their towns and villages are three of the areas I plan to focus on immediately as we continue to advocate Fort Drum.”
Mr. Keel is a 25-year veteran of the United States Army and a native of Lawrence, Kansas. In December 1992, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and upon graduation from the University of Kansas in May 1998, was commissioned as a Field Artillery Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).
In 2003, Fritz was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York. He served as the Battalion Intelligence Officer, Battalion Fire Support Officer for 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry, and as the Commander of Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery. During his first tour at Fort Drum, he deployed twice, to Afghanistan as well as to Iraq.
Fritz returned to Fort Drum and the North Country in 2015 to establish and re-activate the 10th Mountain Division Artillery (DIVARTY) Headquarters, serving as the Deputy Commander. He was instrumental in establishing the Division’s standards for Artillery unit certification and in training the DIVARTY Headquarters to support two Warfighter Exercises. “My two assignments with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum were the most rewarding of my military career,” said Mr. Keel.
“Mr. Keel understands service to his country and community, and he will apply that experience in his role as Executive Director for Advocate Drum”, said Mrs. Corriveau. Mr. Keel shared, “I am excited about the opportunity to lead this great organization and to give back to the community that has been so important to me personally and professionally.”
Fritz and his wife Yanneth, live in Sackets Harbor and have seven children between them. They are active in community events, school projects and church groups. Fritz volunteers as a coach for the Sackets Harbor T-Ball team and enjoys woodworking, home improvement projects, and restoring his classic Mercedes.
FORT DRUM 2016 ECONOMIC IMPACT BOOSTS JOB NUMBERS IN LOCAL REGION
WATERTOWN, NY - Fort Drum recently released its annual economic impact statement which reported that direct spending in the three-county region amounted to $ 1,185,191,930 - a decrease of 3 % over 2015. “ We want to share that the total economic impact of Fort Drum including indirect spending results is a much higher number! “said Brian Ashley, Executive Director of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization.
Problem-Solving
You find that one of your men has a problem. This means you have a problem, too. What to do? It depends on the situation. It depends on the man, his age and experience, and his actual problem. Your main function is not to solve the problem for him, but to establish a climate of understanding in which the man feels free to seek intelligent help.
-SMA William O. Wooldridge,
"Understanding Soldier Problems"
Army Digest, April 1967
