Staff

Dedicated Leaders Strengthening Advocate Drum

Our leadership team is committed to advocating for Fort Drum’s future. Guided by experience and dedication, our Board of Directors and staff work to enhance military-community relations, economic development, and regional support initiatives. Meet the individuals shaping the vision and impact of Advocate Drum.

David Zembiec

Interim Executive Director

David recently retired from the position of CEO for the Jefferson County Local Development Corporation and the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, the organizations charged with facilitating economic growth in the county through business recruitment and retention, workforce development, related activities. He previously served as the Director of Community Development for the NYS Tug Hill Commission—providing grassroots technical assistance to rural communities in the Tug Hill region.

Dave has been involved in strategic planning assistance to communities and non-profit organizations, infrastructure development, downtown revitalization, and tourism development and promotion. He also serves as a board member for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County; treasurer of the North Country Alliance; and Chair of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization. He was inducted as a Man of the Mountain by Fort Drum and the 10 th Mountain Division (LI) in July, 2023.

Dave has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from SUNY Brockport.

Dave lives in Adams with his wife Barbara. They have three daughters.

Ashley Shepard

Program Manager – Next Move NY – Live Love Stay

Ashley Shepard joined Advocate Drum in 2025. Before that, she was the Brigade Soldier Family Readiness Support Assistant for the 10^th Combat Aviation Brigade. Ashley has been married to her active-duty husband, Ian, for 22 years, and they have been stationed at Fort Drum for nearly 14 years.

Ashley has been an avid volunteer in the Fort Drum/North Country community since April of 2013. She currently serves on the executive board of Camaraderie of Courage, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that supports the 1^st Brigade Combat Team, 10^th Mountain Division; is a committee member of Operation Yellow Ribbon; she is Board Member of the Northern New York-Fort Drum Chapter of AUSA; she recently also became a member of the Watertown Noon Rotary Club.

Ashley has dedicated her life since being at Fort Drum to supporting Soldiers and their families, and she is really excited that, through her role as Program Manager for Next Move NY – Live Love Stay, she can support them in a new way while also showcasing the beautiful North Country.

Ashley’s awards include Fort Drum Volunteer of the Month, Fort Drum Volunteer of the Year Nominee, Shield of Sparta, Presidential Recognition, Honorary Member of the 22^nd Infantry Regiment, Fort Drum Civilian of the Quarter, The Knight of the Honorable Order of Saint Michael, and The Honorable Order of Our Lady of Loreto.

Clancy Cox

Executive Assistant

Clancy joined the Advocate Drum team in 2026. She brings decades of executive-level administrative experience to her role at Advocate Drum, most recently serving as Executive Assistant to the President of the GWNC Chamber of Commerce.

She grew up in Virginia, working in her family’s bakery and on their farm.

A classically trained soprano and Watertown resident, she holds a Bachelor of Music from Syracuse University and a Master of Science for Teachers from SUNY Potsdam, and has spent years serving the North Country as a vocal coach, educator, and small business owner.

She is a connector by nature, finding the overlap between people, systems, and goals to create win-win outcomes. She is proud to support Advocate Drum’s work strengthening the bond between the North Country community and Fort Drum.

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