A native of Statesboro, Georgia, Kenan
was educated at Statesboro High School and entered the University of Georgia on
an athletic scholarship. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and
directed staff dependent swimming lessons during the summer sessions. He
graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1967 with a BS in Recreation and
immediately following his graduation, served three years of duty in the U. S.
Army as an Infantry Officer. During 1969-1970 he served as a combat platoon
leader and Executive Officer in the 54th Infantry in Vietnam.
Following his active military service, he returned to his hometown and began a
professional career in Human Resources Management.
Following a 32 year career as a corporate executive in Human
Resources and Business Management, Kenan founded The Kern Group, LLC made up of
two separate divisions. Educating Georgia is the leading third-party recruiting
company placing educators in public school systems throughout Georgia. A second
division of The Kern Group, LLC, Kern & Associates provides Human Resources
consulting and Business Management support to area business in Georgia and South
Carolina.
Kenan first joined Rotary International when he was inducted
into the Rotary Club of Abingdon, Virginia, in 1988. During his membership, he
was noted for his stage performances at the annual Rotary Frolics at the state
performing Barter Theater.
Upon relocating back to Georgia, Kenan joined the Rotary Club
of Savannah South in 1993 and immediately was introduced into Rotary service. He
served Savannah South as a member of the Board of Directors, and served three
years as Editor of the club bulletin which was noted as the Best Club Bulletin
at the District Conference 1997. In 1997-1998, he served as Club President for
the Rotary Club of Savannah South.
Kenan has been an active supporter to District 6920 beginning
in 1999 as Silent Auction Chair for the District Conference. He served District
6920 as an Assistant Governor for three years and followed that service by
serving as District Director for three years. He served as District Conference
Chair for the year 2002-2003 and will serve as District Conference Chair during
the 2007-2008 year. He has served as Aide de Camp for two District Governors.
The Georgia Rotary Student Program has recognized his support
to GRSP by naming him a Will Watt Fellow and a Hue Thomas Fellow. He has served
on numerous GRSP committees and Endowment fund raisers.
Kenan has been a strong supporter of The Rotary Foundation.
He became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1997 followed by becoming a multiple Paul
Harris Fellow. He has honored his wife, daughter, and deceased mother as Paul
Harris Fellows. His role in supporting The Rotary Foundation has led to the
installation of over 100 new Paul Harris Fellows in his home club and another
Savannah Rotary club. He became a newly chartered member to the Paul Harris
Society in 2004 and is also a Benefactor to The Rotary Foundation. In 2004 he
led the Rotary Club of Savannah South to the achievement of a 100% Paul Harris
Fellow club. He was selected as the Rotarian of the Year in 2000-2001 from the
six Rotary clubs in Savannah by the Rotary Club of Savannah East
Kenan and his wife, Beth, have been active leaders in the
communities where they have lived in Georgia and Virginia. Kenan has served in
leadership positions to the United Way in Statesboro and served as General
Campaign Manager in Washington County, Virginia. Kenan and Beth have served in
active lay leadership roles in Methodist churches in Georgia and Virginia. Kenan
served as a Scoutmaster for 12 years in Statesboro with his home church, the
First United Methodist Church, and was honored as a Silver Beaver by the Coastal
Empire Council BSA. Kenan and Beth are members of the Skidaway Island United
Methodist Church. They are the proud parents of daughter, Mary Beth Kern Haynes,
son-in-law, Shane Haynes, and grandchildren, Hayden, Emmaline and Arden who live
in Effingham County.