In 2018, Chaplain Kenneth "Lou" Koon, D.Min was inducted into the University of North Georgia Alumni Hall of Fame for his work in suicide intervention in both military and civilian communities. Lou is the author of Listen Learn Lead, the primary curriculum in the Intervene Challenge. He has conducted more than 2,000 successful suicide interventions and trained more than 27,000 individuals have taken the Challenge to gain the skills that save lives in training events nationwide. Clients served include US Army, US Air Force, Homeland Security, NSA, Hospitals, Universities, Boards of Education, faith, and civic groups.

Lou served on the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health Strategic Committee in the drafting of the 2020-2025 State Suicide Prevention Plan and as project liaison for Behavioral Health Link and the Georgia Crisis and Access Line in development of community initiatives.

Lou holds a Master of Divinity in Education and a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling and completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Georgia Baptist and Piedmont Hospital. He is a member of the Georgia Chiefs of Police Association, NAMI, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association.

His greatest dream is that one day a boy will ask his father, “Dad what was suicide?”

He and his wife, Sherry have four grown sons, six grandchildren, and make their home in Sharpsburg, Georgia.