Valdosta North Rotary Club

P.O. Box 1704

Valdosta, Georgia   31603-1704

Governor Kenan Kern - 2008-2009 District Governor - District 6920/Georgia

    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 54^th 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.