Kevin C. Pennell, Protective Security Advisor (PSA) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS,) Southern/Central Illinois, was honored during the 2017 InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA) Congress in Dallas, Texas on Sunday September 24th. Pennell was awarded the distinguished InfraGard National DHS PSA of the Year Award, which was presented by the INMA Chair, Gary Gardner, and President, Maureen O'Connell.
As a resident of Springfield, Illinois Pennell has been a protector of his community and state working as a DHS PSA for over nine years, devoting his time, energy and expertise for the improvement of community/state outreach programs and the enhancement of private sector security programs utilizing DHS developed awareness training initiatives and workshops.
As an accomplished leader, Pennell has developed strong and trusting relationships with local, regional police and sheriff departments and Federal law enforcement agencies, most notably the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is the creator and coordinator of the InfraGard Program.
As a resident of Springfield, Pennell was formerly a devoted member of the Springfield Police Department and is also currently a commissioned Major in the United States Air Force. Pennell continues to be dedicated and committed to serving his community and country.
Pennell actively works with the Illinois Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center (STIC) and is a newly appointed Advisor on the InfraGard Springfield Members Alliance (ISMA) Board of Directors Advisory Committee.
On Tuesday October 10, 2017, Pennell was locally recognized at the Annual ISMA Members and Board of Directors meeting held at the FBI Springfield Headquarters, hosted by FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Sean Cox.
Left to right: FBI Special Agent and Office of Private Sector Coordinator Christopher Trifiletti, ISMA President Michael P. Rother, Award Recipient DHS PSA Kevin Pennell, and FBI SAC Sean Cox.
FBI SA Chris Trifiletti is pinning DHS PSA Kevin Pennell with an FBI label Pin.
Group Photo of our October 10, 2017 ISMA Annual Members and Board of Directors Meeting taken in the Rotunda of the FBI Springfield Headquarters
About InfraGard and the InfraGard National Members Alliance - InfraGard is a partnership between the FBI and the private sector. It is an association of persons who represent businesses, academic institutions, state and local public safety agencies, and other participants dedicated to sharing information, and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the U.S. The InfraGard National Members Alliance is comprised of over 80 chapters representing over 40,000 FBI-vetted subject matter experts on protecting the 16 Critical Sectors. InfraGard provides its members with unmatched opportunities to promote the physical and cyber security of their organizations, through access to a trusted, national network of Subject Matter Experts from the public and private sectors and government stakeholders, at the local, state, and federal levels.
INMA President Maureen O’Connell and INMA Chairman Gary Gardner present DHS PSA Kevin Pennell with the 2017 InfraGard National DHS PSA of the Year Award