Keenan Resigning to Take Salem State Post

State Rep. John Keenan (D-Salem), who had already planned to not seek reelection, announced Tuesday he will resign next month to become vice president for administration at Salem State University.

Salem State said in an announcement that it chose Keenan after ”an extensive national search.” He will resign from the Legislature on Aug. 24 and start work at Salem State the next week. He will report directly to President Patricia Maguire Meservey, according to the college announcement.

Keenan will be responsible for “day-to-day operations” at Salem State “in support of its academic mission.”

Keenan’s resignation means he will leave office about four months before his term will end in early January. He served five terms on Beacon Hill. An attorney, Keenan previously served as the Salem city solicitor and assistant Essex County attorney.

“John Keenan possesses all of the qualities we are looking for in a position of this magnitude,” Meservey said in her announcement. ”An experienced leader with strong interpersonal skills and a track record of getting things done, I expect him to bring those assets to this vice presidency.”

She also noted that Keenan joined with former Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry (D-Peabody) in 2010 to co-sponsored a bill that allowed Salem State College become Salem State University.

“ I look forward to assisting the university achieve its vision and deliver excellent academic program at a reasonable cost for students and families,” Keenan said in the announcement.

Salem Police Chief Paul Tucker, a Democrat, and Salem State student Dan Morris, a Libertarian, will be the two candidates for state representative for the 7th Essex District, representing Salem, on the ballot in November.