1744 Brawley School Road
Mooresville, NC 28117
Appointed by the Board of Governors
October 14, 2106 to June 30, 2017
July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021
Gaither M. Keener, Jr. is a 1972 graduate of Western Carolina University and received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Wake Forest University Law School in 1977.
Mr. Keener is married to the former Beverly Bogle of Salisbury, North Carolina and has two adult married children and four grandchildren. He currently resides in Iredell County, having relocated from North Wilkesboro in 2004. Mr. Keener served as an Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Office and Secretary, and was a Section 16 Officer of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, a Fortune 50 international retailer. While an officer of the Lowe's parent company, Mr. Keener served on numerous Lowe's international and domestic boards.
During his tenure with Lowe’s, Mr. Keener grew the legal department from 18 employees to over 130 employees, including international subsidiary lawyers, while reducing significant costs for the corporation. Mr. Keener has received from Martindale-Hubbell an AV Peer Rating and Certification (Superior Rating), and has been recognized by the Lawyers of North Carolina as published by Business North Carolina for the last several years as a Member of the Hall of Fame in regards to Business and Corporate Law.
Mr. Keener provides pro bono counsel to a veterans’ organization and is very active in Veterans’ Rights, having made numerous trips to Washington, DC and Raleigh, North Carolina seeking additional funding for Veterans. He currently serves as an officer and a member of the board of directors for the American Legion Department of North Carolina, and is the chair of the American Legion National Organization’s Finance Committee.
Mr. Keener has been active in his community, having served on numerous nonprofit boards and has served as chairman of a local regional hospital. Mr. Keener currently serves on the Western Carolina University Foundation Board and is a member of the WCU Athletic Booster Club where he and his wife endowed a track scholarship in recognition of Terry Helms, his college roommate and longtime friend. Mr. Keener and his wife have also endowed academic scholarships for WCU. From 2002 to 2007, he served on the Board of Visitors for the Law Alumni Counsel of Wake Forest University Law School. He currently serves of the Board of Visitors for Wake Forest Law School. Mr. Keener and his wife have endowed scholarships at Wake Forest University and Elon University. In addition, he is a mentor of 2L students at Wake Forest University Law School and is a member of the board of directors for the WFU Deacon Club.
Mr. Keener is a member of the Presbyterian Church where he is an Elder and a long time Sunday School Teacher. He has served his church as a member of the Presbytery Committee on Ministry and has served nationally as an advisor for the Presbyterian Church, PCUSA Pension Board out of Philadelphia.
Mr. Keener is a member of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine which is among the most prestigious awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state and is the state’s highest civilian honor.