Vernon Keenan
Encyclopedia
Vernon M. Keenan is the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation
(GBI), that state's primary investigation and law enforcement agency
.
He was voted one of the top 100 most influential Georgians by Georgia Trend magazine. He is a firm supporter of the state's Open Records Act
. Keenan joined the GBI in 1973 and was appointed director of the agency in January 2003 by Governor Sonny Perdue
. Prior to joining the GBI, he served as a patrolman with the DeKalb County
Police Department (November 1972 - June 1973).
mortician, is recognizable for his fedora and availability to the media. Keenan is a graduate of Waycross High School
and received his Bachelor of Science
degree from Valdosta State College in 1972. In 1997, Vernon Keenan graduated from the Georgia Chiefs of Police Command College with a Master of Public Administration
from Columbus State University
. In addition, he is a graduate of 117th Session of the FBI Academy
(May - June, 1979).
Keenan originally intended to be a history teacher. However, he switched his major at Valdosta State to criminal justice
and moved right into law enforcement after graduation.
and have two sons, Mack and Jackson. Vernon Keenan is an Eagle Scout
.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation or GBI is an independent, U.S. state of Georgia agency that provides assistance to the state's criminal justice system in the areas of criminal investigations, forensic laboratory services and computerized criminal justice information.-Organization:The agency is...
(GBI), that state's primary investigation and law enforcement agency
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
.
He was voted one of the top 100 most influential Georgians by Georgia Trend magazine. He is a firm supporter of the state's Open Records Act
Freedom of information in the United States
Freedom of information in the United States refers to the independent bodies of Freedom of information legislation at the federal level and in the fifty states.-Federal level:...
. Keenan joined the GBI in 1973 and was appointed director of the agency in January 2003 by Governor Sonny Perdue
Sonny Perdue
George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III, was the 81st Governor of Georgia. Upon his inauguration in January 2003, he became the first Republican governor of Georgia since Benjamin F. Conley served during Reconstruction in the 1870s....
. Prior to joining the GBI, he served as a patrolman with the DeKalb County
DeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population of the county was 691,893 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is the city of Decatur. It is bordered to the west by Fulton County and contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta...
Police Department (November 1972 - June 1973).
Education
Keenan, the son of a WaycrossWaycross, Georgia
Waycross is the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Ware County in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 14,725 at the 2010 Census. A small portion of the city extends into Pierce County. According the U.S...
mortician, is recognizable for his fedora and availability to the media. Keenan is a graduate of Waycross High School
Waycross High School
Waycross High School was a high school in the town of Waycross, Georgia in the United States. In 1993, the Waycross School Board dissolved its charter and merged into the Ware County School System, creating one larger high school, Ware County Senior High....
and received his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from Valdosta State College in 1972. In 1997, Vernon Keenan graduated from the Georgia Chiefs of Police Command College with a Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration is a professional post-graduate degree in Public Administration. The MPA program prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, state/provincial, and federal/national government, and increasingly in nongovernmental organization and...
from Columbus State University
Columbus State University
Columbus State University is a public institution of higher learning located in Columbus, Georgia. Founded as Columbus College in 1958, the university was established and is administered by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and is fully accredited by the Commission on...
. In addition, he is a graduate of 117th Session of the FBI Academy
FBI Academy
The FBI Academy, located in Quantico, Virginia, is the training site for new Special Agents of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was first opened for use in 1972 on 385 acres of woodland. It is a relatively small government academy, housing three dormitory buildings and...
(May - June, 1979).
Keenan originally intended to be a history teacher. However, he switched his major at Valdosta State to criminal justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
and moved right into law enforcement after graduation.
Private life
He has been married for 30 years to Joan Thomas Keenan from St. Mary's, Georgia. They live in Cherokee CountyCherokee County, Georgia
As of the census of 2000, there were 141,903 people, 49,495 households, and 39,200 families residing in the county. The population density was 335 people per square mile . There were 51,937 housing units at an average density of 123 per square mile...
and have two sons, Mack and Jackson. Vernon Keenan is an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
.