Ed Freel has a long career in government, politics, academia and the citizen sectors. He began his career in state government, but in early 1979, he joined the Carter administration as Special Assistant to the Director for Community Action of the U.S. Community Service Administration. In the fall of 1979, he was asked to develop and manage anew $500-million program designed to help the poor and elderly cope with rising energy costs. He managed the program’s expansion to $1.85 billion and in 1981 received an award for outstanding program management. In 1982 Mr. Freel managed the Delaware State Treasurer Thomas Carper’s successful campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives. He served as Chief of Staff for the Congressman for nine years before leaving to serve as political director in the 1992 Carper gubernatorial campaign.
Mr. Freel directed Governor-Elect Carper’s transition team and then served as Chief of Staff until July 1994 when he was appointed Delaware’s Secretary of State. In addition to his responsibilities with the Institute for Public Administration, Mr. Freel serves as the Senior Advisor to U.S. Senator Thomas R. Carper. He is also a Trustee of the Delaware Historical Society.