Drake Elected to National Guard Association Corporate Advisory Panel

MADISON, Indiana, USA (February 26, 2008) Matthew Drake, Military Products Manager for Grote Industries, was elected to serve on the Corporate Advisory Panel (CAP) of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) during the Annual National Guard Executive Directors Association Meeting in January.

Sgt. Michael Steele of Delta Company, 151st Infantry, 1st Battalion based in Madison, recently deployed to Iraq, nominated Drake.

“His desire to see today’s Warfi ghter have the best possible equipment is evident in his passionate work improving the equipment used to complete critical missions in the theater of battle, and towards all aspects and levels of Military Operations,” Steele said.

“His drive to provide the best and safest equipment for the Soldier or Marine continually serves our Military globally,” he added.

CAP was created in 1996 as a result of the NGAUS and the industry seeing a need to establish a standing body to represent the NGAUS.

NGAUS is the National Guard’s lobbying consortium. As a member of CAP, Drake will serve as an industry representative to advise on National Guard issues, concerns and initiatives pertaining to public policy, industry standards and national marketing functions.

He will also advise on congressional processes and corporate fundraising. The main goal of CAP is for Industry and the NGAUS to work together to improve the Guard.

“I care because I was one of those guys out there,” Drake said. Drake, a veteran, served four years in the U.S. Navy during Gulf War I in Operation Provide Comfort, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

“I am excited to be on the panel, using my voice to speak for our war-fi ghters and to help make decisions that provide Soldiers or Marines the best equipment available so they can come home safely,” he added.

Drake was chosen from a field of 13 candidates. The panel is made up of 15 members who serve 2-year terms and are comprised of representatives from large, medium and small corporations in manufacturing and service sectors.

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Matthew Drake

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