General (retired) Jack Keane studio portrait. Photo by Delane Rouse/DC Corporate Headshots.

College of the Canyons, the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. and U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (Ret.) will present the Fourth Annual McKeon Leadership Forum, with a special keynote presentation from Gen. John M. Keane (Ret.), Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

The forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center.

“It is an honor to have General Keane as this year’s McKeon Leadership Forum speaker. The Forum has established itself as a community platform to promote civic dialogue and inform community members about current issues that merit our attention,” said COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “I am grateful to Congressman McKeon for his continuous advocacy on behalf of the Santa Clarita Valley and the college. His commitment to education and public service is deeply admirable and inspiring.”

Keane’s presentation is titled “America’s Global Security Challenges.”

“General Keane is very well informed on all of the serious situations facing our country around the world,” said McKeon. “This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from his knowledge, experience, and expertise. He has devoted his life to serving our nation and our people. You’ve seen him on television, now you can see and meet him in person. I look forward to seeing you at this great event.”

Established in 2015, the McKeon Leadership Forum is a speaker series aimed at promoting civic engagement through personal involvement. Thought leaders from the world of politics, government, and military are invited to speak at the Forum in order to engage community members into dialog and inspire them to become involved in current issues. The Forum also highlights the community’s robust economic industries, such as the aerospace sector.

“The McKeon Forum continues to bring military experts to the Santa Clarita Valley and is a unique opportunity for businesses and the community to engage and learn,” said Holly Schroeder, president and CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation. “We encourage business leaders to attend and hear directly from thought leaders about key issues facing the aerospace and defense industries.”

Conceived as an engaging, thought-provoking exchange, the Forum proposes to not merely entertain, but encourage attendees to shape the future of their community.

Admission to the McKeon Leadership Forum is free and open to the public. Complimentary parking will be available in Lots 1 and 2.

About General Jack Keane
After 37 years of public service, General Keane retired in 2003 from his appointment as acting Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. The four-star general was in the Pentagon on 9/11 and provided oversight and support for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Since 2004, General Keane spent a decade conducting frequent trips to Iraq and Afghanistan for senior defense officials with multiple visits during the surge period in both countries directly assisting General David Petraeus.

General Keane appears before Congress regularly, offering testimony on matters of foreign policy and national security, with his most recent testimony in May on ISIS: Post Caliphate. He serves as the senior strategic analyst for Fox News and speaks throughout the country on leadership and national security.

A combat Vietnam veteran, General Keane is a career infantry paratrooper and commanded the 101st Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps, which is the Army’s largest war fighting organization.

Currently President of GSI Consulting, General Keane regularly appears before Congress to offer testimony on foreign policy and national security matters. He serves as the senior strategic analyst for Fox News and speaks throughout the country on leadership and national security.

General Keane earned his bachelor of science degree from Fordham University and received a Master of Arts degree from Western Kentucky University. He is a graduate of the Army War College and the Command and General Staff College. General Keane was married to the late Theresa (Terry) Keane for 51 years and has two sons, Daniel and Matthew who is deceased.

Please click here to RSVP.