Fred Deel was elected to the Gallia County Board of Commissioners in 2004 and was serving as the Board President up until his appointment as Director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia in 2007.

Fred Deel is a life long resident of Gallia County. Previously, he retired from The Ohio State University after a 31-year career as an Associate Professor and County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth and Community Development. Deel currently holds the title of Associate Professor, Emeritus. Among his awards and recognitions Deel was selected for the Ohio Excellence in 4-H Award and the National 4-H Agents Association Distinguished Service Award. He has a Bachelor's Degree from University of Rio Grande and a Master's Degree in Agricultural Education from The Ohio State University.

Deel also served two terms as a member of the Gallia County Local Schools Board of Education. He was additionally recognized as a member of the All-Ohio School Board and received the Atwood Alumni Achievement Award from Rio Grande College.

Deel and his wife, Mary, a language arts teacher in the Gallia County Local Schools, are the parents of two adult children. They own a farm where they raise beef cattle and assist their son who manages a swine operation. Deel and his daughter can boast of two generations of extension service. She is currently employed as an extension agent in Appalachia as well, in neighboring Jackson County.