Jerry Keen
I was born and raised in West Virginia, but Rome, Georgia has been my home for over 20 years. I served nearly 10 years with the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. After a partial parachute collapse, my injuries wouldn't allow me to continue as a paratrooper and I had to make a very difficult decision, and departed from the armed forces. I thought I would retire from the Army one day, but God had a different plan for me.
I have since been involved in several facets of the real estate world. From construction/HVAC industries to property management, and later buying and selling my own properties, I have had my hands in residential housing in one fashion or another. All of those years of hands-on experience has really given me a great advantage in inspecting homes. The education and certification process is definitely vital, but I personally believe you can only learn so much in a classroom. My experience in my own endeavors only enhances the classroom knowledge I have obtained and constantly gain through continuing education. It doesn't hurt that my wife is certified with FHA as a Direct Endorsement Underwriter - Georgia codes and HUD sometimes see things differently and I pick her brain whenever the need arises (and so far it hasn't ended up with extra dish duties, lol). I am an active member of the Georgia Conference of Home Inspectors, International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), and the Greater Rome Board of Realtors.
On a personal note...
I am truly blessed beyond measure in both my personal and professional lives. Our older son graduated from Auburn University and is happy and healthy pursuing an awesome career in Nashville, as a financial analyst. Our younger son is currently pursuing his bachelor's degree and loving every second of the college experience. My wife and I love spending time outdoors and with our other kids (the ones that walk on 4 legs). During the spring and summer months, we enjoy riding horses with great friends, camping, or just a long drive through the National Forest on a Sunday afternoon. Fall and winter months' spare time is most likely spent hunting, watching WVU and AU football, or catching up on a honey-do list that I had better have done before the holidays get here, lol. In any case or any season, I am truly blessed - I love my job, I have great friends and the love of a great family.
Jerry Keen