First Wind, an independent U.S.-based wind energy company, today announced the promotion of Pete Keel to Senior Vice President of Strategy and Investor Relations. Since joining First Wind in 2006, Mr. Keel has been responsible for numerous financings, power purchase agreements and overall financial planning and analysis for the company. In his new expanded role, Mr. Keel will be responsible for strategic and financial planning, corporate financing and investor relations at First Wind.
“We are always proud to promote from within our exceptional talent pool,” said Michael Alvarez, President and CFO of First Wind. “Pete’s hard work and creative thinking are critical to our project development pipeline, and he has played a critical role in transforming wind power projects from concept to reality. As we look toward the future, we trust Pete’s ability to excel in his expanded role, continue to drive results and remain a positive influence to the First Wind team.”
Prior to his promotion, Mr. Keel was Vice President of Financial Planning and a Director of Project Finance. He has been with First Wind since May of 2006. Mr. Keel was previously with GE Energy Financial Services where he structured a variety of debt and equity transactions in power generation and pipeline assets. He also held commercial roles with GE Power Systems and GE Wind Energy. Prior to GE, Mr. Keel was an Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he operated and maintained the gas turbine propulsion plant aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas and served as a White House Military Social Aide. Mr. Keel has an MA in Public Policy from Georgetown University and BS in Civil Engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy.