Alton G. Keel Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alton G. Keel Jr.
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| Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition) | |
| In office July 30, 1981 – 1982 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Robert J. Hermann |
| Succeeded by | Thomas E. Cooper |
| 14th United States Permanent Representative to NATO | |
| In office March 13, 1987 – June 17, 1989 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | David Manker Abshire |
| Succeeded by | William Howard Taft IV |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Alton Gold Keel Jr.
September 15, 1943 Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
| Education | University of Virginia (B.S., PhD) |
Alton Gold Keel Jr. (born September 15, 1943) is an American engineer, government official, and businessman. He has held important roles in the U.S. government, including helping the Air Force and serving as a diplomat for the United States.
Contents
Alton Keel Jr.: A Life of Service
Early Life and Education
Alton Gold Keel Jr. was born on September 15, 1943, in Hampton, Virginia, U.S. He went to the University of Virginia. There, he studied aerospace engineering, which is about designing and building aircraft and spacecraft. He earned his first degree in 1966. Later, he completed his Ph.D. in 1970.
Working for the Government
After finishing his studies, Keel worked on weapons research. This was at the Naval Surface Weapons Center. He then joined the staff of the United States Senate. From 1976 to 1978, he was a science fellow. He then worked for the Senate Armed Services Committee until 1981.
Keel took on several important roles in the government. From 1981 to 1982, he was the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition). This meant he helped the Air Force get new equipment and technology. After that, he worked for the Office of Management and Budget from 1982 to 1986. This office helps the President manage the U.S. government's budget.
Investigating the Challenger Disaster
In 1986, Alton Keel Jr. was chosen for a very important job. He became the Executive Director of the Rogers Commission. This group was formed to investigate the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster. The Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart shortly after launch in January 1986. The commission's job was to find out what went wrong.
Diplomat and Businessman
In July 1986, President Ronald Reagan appointed Keel to another key position. He became the acting principal deputy to the National Security Advisor. This role involves advising the President on national security and foreign policy.
From 1987 to 1989, Keel served as the United States Permanent Representative to NATO. NATO stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is a military alliance between several North American and European countries. As a permanent representative, Keel was the main diplomat for the U.S. at NATO. He worked to strengthen relationships and cooperation between member countries.
After his government service, Alton Keel Jr. worked in the business world. He has held various leadership roles in companies. As of 2007, he was the president and managing director of Atlantic Partners LLC. This company is a private investment-banking group.
