Advocate Drum announces Edward W. Keel as new executive director

WATERTOWN, NY – 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.

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.

Visit us at www.fdrlo.org to learn more about us.