Kelvin J. Cochran serves as senior fellow and vice president at Alliance Defending Freedom. In this role, he oversees the spiritual care of ADF team members, speaks at ADF events and conferences, and assists the ADF Church and Ministry Alliance by expanding alliances with pastors and minority faith communities. 

Cochran dedicated over 30 years of his life to fighting fires and protecting the communities in which he’s lived and worked. After being born into extreme poverty in Shreveport, Louisiana, he worked his way up the ranks and became Shreveport’s fire chief in 1999 where he served until he was appointed fire chief for the city of Atlanta, Georgia in 2008. His exemplary service record drew the attention of President Obama who appointed Cochran as the administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration in 2009, the highest office in the profession. He then resumed his post as Atlanta Fire Chief in 2010. After the city of Atlanta terminated Cochran’s employment because of his Christian faith and beliefs, ADF represented him in a federal lawsuit. A federal court ruled the city of Atlanta discriminated against Cochran’s religious views and violated his First Amendment rights, and the city of Atlanta agreed to a favorable settlement. 

Prior to his role at ADF, Cochran served as chief operating officer of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta. He received his doctorate of education in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University and is the author of two books, a sought-after public speaker, and is an advocate for religious liberty and unity of the body of Christ. Chief Cochran attends the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, under the spiritual leadership of our friend Pastor John K. Jenkins.