WASHINGTON – Richard H. Solomon, President of the U.S. Institute of Peace, announced today that Pamela Keeton, formerly with Powell Tate|Weber Shandwick, a powerhouse public relations firm inside the beltway, is the organization's new director of public affairs and communications. Keeton will oversee external outreach, including the Institute’s Web site; media relations; internal communications; marketing; and alumni relations.

Keeton has led a two-track, varied career in public affairs, including ten years on active duty with the U.S. Army, fourteen years in the Army Reserve, six years with a public relations agency and eight years in local and state government.

"Pam brings a wealth of public affairs and communications experience to the Institute," said Solomon. "She understands first hand the importance of the work we do. She is part of a new leadership team that will write a new chapter for the Institute, beginning with the groundbreaking for our new headquarters.”

At Powell Tate|Weber Shandwick, a bi-partisan public affairs firm founded by two former presidential press secretaries, Keeton led the defense practice, which counted among its clients most of the largest defense firms in the United States. Her team contributed to the selection of the AgustaWestland/Bell/Lockheed Martin US101 helicopter as the next U.S. presidential transport.

Just prior to leaving Powell Tate|Weber Shandwick, Keeton retired from the Army after 24 years of service, including two combat tours for which she was awarded Bronze Star Medals.

Keeton’s last major assignment with the Army was as the director of public affairs for all U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan where she witnessed the first democratic presidential election and inauguration.

“My experience in Afghanistan was the best of my 24-year career, and left me wanting to do more to contribute to peace and stability throughout the world,” explained Keeton. “I am looking forward to fulfilling that desire through work for the Institute.”

Keeton began her career as a U.S. Army officer in 1981. Both she and her husband deployed to the first gulf war during which she commanded an Army public affairs detachment from Fort Hood. Both officers served with the infamous 1st Cavalry Division while their children, then ages six and seven, remained at home with their grandmother.

Keeton holds a bachelor of arts in English from Ripon College in Wisconsin, and a master of science in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is accredited in public relations through the Public Relations Society of America, is a graduate of the Defense Information School.

For more information on the U.S. Institute of Peace, please contact Iris Pilika in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications at (202) 429-3828 or at ipilika@usip.org.