Leo F. Kennedy of Greenville, Rhode Island was elected as the Commander-in-Chief at the 128th National Encampment in Louisville, KY on August 15, 2009. Bro. Kennedy is the son of Marlene Kennedy and the late Leo Kennedy and was born in Providence, RI in 1959. His father, Leo Jr, died in the line of duty as a Greenville Firefighter in 1979. Bro. Leo is the third Rhode Islander to be elected to Commander in Chief with the last CinC from Rhode Island elected in the year Bro. Leo was born.

Bro. Leo is the descendent of Stephen Kettle of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry and George Kettle of the 1 st Rhode Island Cavalry. George was captured along with a majority of the 1st RI Cavalry in Middleburg, VA in June of 1863. He was released after nine months in a Confederate prison, reenlisted and served to the end of the war.

Bro. Leo graduated Smithfield High School and then Providence College where he holds a Bachelors Degree and is a member of the honor society. He currently attends the National Fire Academy, working on a degree as an Executive Fire Officer.

Bro. Leo is a life member with the SUVCW and has received the Meritorious Service with Gold Star in 2001. He is a proud member of Col. Zenas R Bliss, Camp 12, Department of Rhode Island. He also was made an honorary Kentucky Colonel at the 2003 National Encampment. He served on the National Graves Registration Committee, chairing it for seven years. Bro. Leo is a member of the Headquarters Company of the SVR.

Bro. Leo has been a fire fighter with the City of Cranston since 1981 and has risen to the rank of Deputy Chief. He is currently in charge of the emergency medical and rescue division. Bro. Leo has also worked with FEMA and was a deployed to the World Trade Center collapse for two weeks in Sept 2001. He currently is appointed by RI Governor Carcieri to the RI Ambulance Service Advisory Board, where he was elected Chair in 2008.

Bro. Leo is the Deputy Director with the Smithfield Emergency Management Agency. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Association, RI Critical Incident Stress Management Team and the RI Urban Search and Rescue Team. He also works as a specialty instructor at the RI Fire Academy.

Bro. Leo has enjoyed being a re-enactor with Battery B, 1st RI Light Artillery for 20 years where he is now a Sergeant. Battery B is a living history organization and part of the Rhode Island State Militia. Bro. Leo received the State Militia Meritorious Service award in 1998, fifteen-year service award from the RI State Militia, and is a member of the Military Order of St. Barbara.

Bro. Leo was elected to the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Gathering of Scottish Clans in 2006, where he assists in holding one of the largest Scottish Games in the United States which is non profit, donating monies raised to charities supporting the Scottish culture.

Bro. Leo is happily married to Sandra and they both enjoy camping and travel from Alaska to Ireland. When not traveling, they live in Greenville, RI.