VSF Board of Directors: Ben Keen

Military History

Ben served for 8 and half years in the Army as a communications expert providing the necessary voice and data networks to the commanders on the front lines.  Ben deployed to Iraq two times including during the initial invasion in March 2003 as part of the 1 Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne Brigade”, 101st Airborne Division (Assault) and later in 2006 with A Co 86th Signal Battalion.  He also served in Germany, Kuwait and Korea.  Ben received his honorable discharge in January 2008.

Ben’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 3 Stars, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award),  and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Volunteer History

Ben has always understood the importance of volunteering his time.  While serving in Germany, Ben volunteered with the Boy Scouts.  In 2010, Ben, along with 2 other Veterans from the Greater Pittsburgh area, started a Post-9/11 Veterans known as Steel City Vets with a mission to provide peer support the growing population of Veterans from the most recent conflicts within the Greater Pittsburgh area.

Ben joined the Veterans Support Foundation in 2011.

Professional Experience

Ben currently works as a contractor with TekSystems and is assigned to PNC Bank where he works on the Data Transmissions Team for the bank. In 2015, Ben was named the 2016 American Staffing Association's National Staffing Employee of the Year based on both his professional experience and his work within the Veterans' community. Ben has been working within the IT Field since joining the Army in 1999 and has leveraged these skills to help promote awareness for Veterans and issues they face including homeless and joblessness.