Raised in Smyrna, Tennessee, Neel joined the United States Navy and served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a photojournalist.
[2] Also in his earlier years, he started an aerial photography business and a political consulting firm, and was on the staff of the mayor of Nashville.
In 1993, after 17 years of service to Gore, Neel went on to be President Clinton's Deputy White House Chief of Staff.
He directed Gore's transition planning during the 2000 presidential election and Florida recount.
He is chief of staff for former vice president Al Gore and his organizational advocacy on climate change.