Mary Lou Keener started her career in the United States Air Force as a Staff and Charge nurse at the U.S.S Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. She then moved to the U.S.S Repose in South Korea before being activated in support of Operation Desert Storm at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Keener eventually went into the reserves as a flight nurse before transitioning over to Mobilization Augmentee and becoming Chief Nurse at Malcolm Grow Medical Center on Andrews Air Force Base. She retired as a Colonel shortly after that and was awarded the Exceptional Service Award.

After retirement, Mary Lou earned her Juris Doctorates degree from the Catholic University of America before becoming a member of the General Counsel at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. There she issued 103 precedent opinions on Department issues including, but not limited to, veteran benefits, medical malpractice, contracts, and health care claims. She also promoted and assisted in the implementation of the complete reorganization of the General Counsel field staff. Streamlined DVA’s legal operations from 52 to 23 offices nationwide representing a potential Government savings of 6.1 million dollars over 5 years.

Keener then began working at the Pentagon as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for the Force Management and Personnel Department of the Air Force. There she was nominated by the President and appointed by the Secretary of the Air Force to provide guidance, direction, and oversight of plans and programs affecting Military and Civilian Personnel, Military Health Care, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) activities, Services, Family Readiness and Support Activities, Quality of Life, Manpower and Programming, and Resources. 

Kenner later transitioned to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Hershel Gober & Associates.