John Keane is the administrator of the Police and Fire Pension Fund.
HOW LONG ON THE JOB?
Since August 1990.
WHAT DOES THE WORK ENTAIL?
“In addition to the overall supervision of employees of the fund, I coordinate with our investment managers, who manage nearly $900 million in assets of the fund.”
WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?
“The members we serve are police officers and firefighters here in Jacksonville, their surviving spouses and eligible children.”
WHAT’S REWARDING ABOUT IT?
“To help people provide for their financial security. I get a lot of satisfaction knowing that what we’re doing today is helping people for tomorrow and a thousand tomorrows after that.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT IT?
“Ensuring our asset allocation policy is sound and will meet our future financial obligations.”
WHERE DID YOU PICK UP YOUR INVESTMENT SAVVY?
“I learned it based on years of involvement as a pension trustee, being on the advisory board and numerous instructional courses.”
BORN
Jacksonville.
RESIDENCE
The Westside is home to Keane and his wife Lynda. They have two daughters, Garnet and Kristy, and one granddaughter.
COLLEGE
Keane has associate’s degree in liberal arts and fire science and prevention from Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Southern Illinois University is where he earned his bachelor’s degree in workforce management and education.
FULL CIRCLE
W. T. Grant Department Stores (now bankrupt) offered Keane his first job after he graduated. Ironically, the Police and Fire Pension Fund recently relocated its office to that same building; it was occupied by Barnett Bank previously.
BOYS IN BLUE
In 1962, Keane joined the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He worked in the identification bureau, then served warrants during the remainder of his seven years there.
WHY GO INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT?
“I always wanted to be a lawyer. Being in law enforcement was the closest thing I could do.”
BATTLING BLAZES
After his stint as a police officer, Keane transferred to the fire department. He was a member of the first fire recruit class after the City consolidated. He was elected to a number of positions during his tenure, including business agent, vice president and executive board member of the fire fighters union. Subsequently, Keane became involved with all facets of the pension fund. Prior to his retirement in 1990, he was employed as the public information officer, responding to over 10,000 interviews.
WHY SWITCH TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT?
“When I was at the sheriff’s office, I was also in the Air National Guard. Many of the people in my [Guard] unit worked for the fire department and they encouraged me to sign up.”
MEMBERSHIPS
Keane is a board member of the Coalition to Preserve Retirement Security, on the executive board of the Council of Institutional Investors and is active with the Government Finance Officers Association.
PERSONAL
Reading biographies of political or military leaders is a pastime for Keane. He also enjoys “60 Minutes,” savoring a steak or watching the film “Patton.” A football fanatic, Keane roots for the University of Florida and is a Jacksonville Jaguars’ season ticket holder. He is also a provost guard at the Morocco Temple. To relax, he prefers to take a journey on a cruise ship.
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“George Bush Sr. I went to his inauguration.”
WHY IS HE A HERO TO YOU?
“For building a coalition in 1990 to show the world that America would stand up for a much smaller country [Kuwait] and do the right thing. He was a great President.”
— by Monica Chamness