Atlanta, GA – Vernon Keenan, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), is the recipient of the 2014 Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Units (LEIU) Distinguished Service Award, which is awarded in conjunction with LexisNexis® Risk Solutions. The award, which recognizes groups or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the law enforcement criminal intelligence community, was presented to Director Keenan in Atlanta at the annual LEIU banquet on May 15.  Director Keenan was selected as the award recipient for his sustained contribution to LEIU and his continuous effort to enhance the criminal intelligence profession.  LEIU Executive Director Bob Morehouse said, “This award recognizes that Director Keenan has gone above and beyond the line of duty in his efforts to enhance both national and local criminal intelligence capabilities.”

Director Keenan began his career with the DeKalb County Police Department in 1972.  In 1973, he graduated from the GBI Basic Agent Class, beginning his career with the GBI.  Director Keenan progressed through the ranks of the GBI before being appointed director of the agency in January 2003 by Governor Sonny Perdue.  Following September 11, 2001, Director Keenan served on the committee that drafted the initial National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan.  He serves on several national level working groups, including as Chair of the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council, providing leadership and direction for the Privacy Committee.  His committee has drafted critical resource documents, including law enforcement guides to intelligence issues surrounding First Amendment events, social media, and other important privacy and civil liberties issues. Throughout his 42 years in law enforcement, Director Keenan’s leadership and commitment to excellence has been demonstrated on a continual basis.    

Director Keenan was born and raised in Waycross, Georgia.  He is a graduate of Valdosta State University and the Law Enforcement Command College in Columbus, where he earned his Masters Degree in Public Administration. Director Keenan and his wife Joan now reside in northwest Georgia.  They have two grown sons, Mack and Jackson, who also reside in Georgia.  Director Keenan’s mother, Emma Keenan, still resides in Waycross.

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Contact Information:

Sherry Lang 404-270-8330