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Commission Member

  • Mr. John A. Keys
    (Tennessee Department of Vetrans Affairs)
    Nashville, TN

  • Commissioner John A. Keys is a lifelong resident of Memphis, Tennessee.  He is an alumnus of Memphis state university where he majored in economics.  He served six years in the United States army and the army reserves.  While in the army, he graduated from nco academy at ft. Benning, Georgia in 1969, served with the 25th infantry division in Vietnam, worked in the tactical operations center in military operations and intelligence while stationed at cu-chi, where he was awarded the bronze star. 

    After his discharge from the army in 1971, john keys served as regional Veterans employment representative with the state department of employment security until 1983.  He was responsible for Veterans employment programs in twenty three west Tennessee counties.  John keys served as manager of veterans services for Shelby county government from 1983 to January 2003 when he was appointed as commissioner of the Tennessee department of Veterans affairs by Governor Phil Bredesen. 

    Commissioner keys life has been dedicated to public service and efforts on behalf of veterans and minorities.  He serves on the:

    Tennessee state veterans homes board

    Tennessee commission on aging and disability

    Midsouth healthcare network visn-9  management advisory committee 

    Selective service system district appeal board 579 of the state of  Tennessee

    Member of phi beta sigma fraternity

    Alumni-leadership Memphis class of ’90

    Vietnam veterans of America – chapter 875

    Board of directors for Alpha Omega Veteran Services (one of the first homeless shelters in the nation)

    Veterans advisory council at the Memphis VA medical center 

    Member of the American legion post 27

    Life member of VFW post 11333

    Chairman of the governors interagency council on homelessness

    Chairman of the minority veterans committee  - district vice president for the south eastern district which is comprised of the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virgin Islands, south Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, Panama Canal, and Virginia,  for the national association of state directors of veterans affairs

    Serves on the national foreign relations commission of the American legion

    And serves in numerous leadership roles providing assistance to others. 

     

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