White Rose Society, GILEE Honor Pair of Leaders

The White Rose Society partnered with the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) to honor two distinguished law enforcement leaders: former Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Director Vernon Keenan and current GBI Director Chris Hosey.

Linda Selig, founder of The White Rose Society, presented each of them with a White Rose in recognition of their steadfast professional support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Rabbi Peter Berg, Senior Rabbi of The Temple, offered a special blessing to both men in tribute to their leadership and commitment. Many law enforcement and community leaders attended the event at The Dupree.

During his 15-year tenure as GBI director, Keenan cultivated a culture of vigilance, compassion, and integrity, working tirelessly to ensure that Jewish communities throughout Georgia felt protected and supported. In 2017, he was honored with the Humanitarian Award from the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust for his lifetime of public service and dedication. Keenan was a member of the first GILEE delegation to Israel in 1993 and participated in four different GILEE programs in Israel and two in the U.K.

Hosey, who assumed the role of GBI director in August 2023, has continued this legacy. In the face of rising antisemitism, particularly following the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas, Hosey has actively collaborated with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to safeguard Jewish day schools, synagogues, and institutions across the state. His leadership reflects an ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of Georgia’s Jewish community. Hosey participated in two GILEE programs in Israel and one in the U.K.

They join other GILEE graduates who received the White Rose Award: Chief Ken DeSimone (Sandy Springs Police), Deputy Chief Oliver Fladrich (Dunwoody Police), and Chief Darin Schierbaum (Atlanta Police).

The White Rose Society was founded by representatives of Jewish congregations, foundations, and non-profit organizations soon after the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. It honors and thanks the individuals who have become beacons of hope for the Jewish people. It recognizes those who make a difference through their actions and fosters unity among all who are willing to stand on the right side of history.

For more information about The White Rose Society, please visit www.thewhiterosesociety.com. GILEE was founded in 1992. It is a center at Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Its mission is law enforcement executive leadership development to enable leaders to be better service providers in their communities. For more information about GILEE, please visit www.gilee.org.