Commander David J. Kenney was born on October 20, 1955, in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Computer Technology at Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 1986. He earned his Masters in Business Administration in Leadership from Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, NH, in 1998.

Commander Kenney entered the Naval Service on September 2, 1975, under the Delayed Enlisted Program. He reported to Basic Training in Orlando, Florida November 4, 1975, after which he reported to Radioman “A” School. Following completion of “A” school, he was sent to the U.S.S. America (CV-66) for duty in the Mediterranean. During his first Mediterranean cruise, he participated in Operation Fluid Drive, the American evacuation operation in Beirut, Lebanon. During his four-year tour in America, he completed several deployments, including the Mediterranean, North Africa, and South America, and several operational training deployments in the Caribbean and North Atlantic. Commander Kenney also served in temporary assignments on the USS Barry, USS Miller, and the HMS Hermes.

After 14 years as an enlisted sailor, Commander Kenney was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Operations LDO (6125) officer in 1990 aboard the U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides).

Commander Kenney’s subsequent assignments in the Navy Reserve include:
• Various Communications/Intel assignments with Cruiser-Destroyer Group, Military Sealift Command, Benelux Det. 101, NAVELEX(SPAWARS) 101, and Mobile Inshore Underwater Warfare 101 – Lawrence, MA
• Boarding/Inspection officer during Desert Sortie – Rotterdam, Netherlands & Felixstowe, UK
• Assistant Training Officer – Military Sealift Command Central Europe 101 – Quincy, MA
• Data Systems Integrity Advisor – US Transportation Command/MSC Washington DC
• Asst OPS/N6 Department Head – Naval Control of Shipping Det. Alpha, Quincy, MA
• Navy Recruiting Command – Boston, MA
• Site Integration Planning officer for Northeast Region implementation of the Naval & Marine Corps Internet project.
• Director of Communications (Unified Charger) in collaboration with the Naval War College development staff. Provided staff planning and technical direction for 9 successful joint Army-Navy logistics exercises covering ports in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East from 1991 to 2001.
• Special Projects Officer – Fleet Forces Command (NCAGS), Bronx, New York 2004-2006

Commander Kenney served as the Commanding Officer for Voluntary Support Unit 0109, Navy Operations Support Command, Manchester, NH, and Officer in Charge of the Navy Funeral Honors Team, providing coordination and training to Navy honor guard members and the Joint Funeral Honor Guard. Commander Kenney had also established a training partnership program with the Bedford, New Boston, and Hooksett Fire Departments, providing drill and organization training to their respective Honor Guard units.

As a member of the New Hampshire Veteran leadership, Commander Kenney served as President of the Reserve Officers Association for New Hampshire, Chairman & founding member of the State Veterans Advisory Committee, Employer Support of Guard and Reserve, Association of US Navy, the Navy Mustang Association, the Navy League, the Military Officers Association of America, the Association of the U.S. Army, Senior Vice Commander of American Legion Post 38 Fitzwilliam, NH, and member of the Old Ironsides Pennies Campaign.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards), the National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation (3 awards), Humanitarian Operations Award, the Military Volunteer Service Medal, The Navy Reserve Medal with gold hourglass, the Navy Recruiting ribbon the Sea Service Ribbon -3 awards, and the Overseas Service Ribbon, Pistol Expert Medal and the Rifle Expert Medal.

In civilian employment, Commander Kenney is an information systems consultant who was taught as an adjunct professor at Franklin Pierce University.

He’s lived with his wife Patricia in Fitzwilliam and Hooksett. He has two daughters, Kimberlee Kenney and Megan (Kenney) Spiess; stepsons Michael and James; stepdaughters Faith and Kristen; and several grandchildren.