Kelly Attended Towson High School in Towson, Maryland. After serving time in the military, Kelly went to college, receiving his Bachelor of Surgery in business administration and finance from the University of Maryland in 1988.
While working in the White House, Kelly earned his Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies through the United States. Naval War College.
He was first elected in 1994 to represent District 9B, which covers a portion of Baltimore County, Maryland. Kelly was first elected in 1994 when he defeated Democrat Stephen West. Lafferty for the new 9B seat. Previously, there was a District 9 that was served by Gerry L. Brewster, John Jay Bishop, and Martha Scanlan Klima.
In the 1998 Republican primary election, Kelly was unchallenged.
Furthermore, he was unchallenged in the general election, as well. Kelly resigned his position as he was appointed by President George West. Bush to serve in the White House as his Special Assistant for Intergovernmental Affairs.
As mentioned previously, Kelly enlisted in United States. Coast Guard Reserves in 1977 and attended Officer Candidate School, graduating in 1990. He has since been promoted to lieutenant.
Kelly was also a Maryland State Trooper for the Maryland State Police from 1984 until 1989.
Kelly worked as a commercial lending and troubled-loan restructuring officer from 1989 until 1994. He was a small business owner from 1995 until 1997. In 2001, Kelly hired as senior advisor to Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs for the United States. Department of Veterans Affairs He was a recipient of the Award for Duty Beyond the Call of Duty as Maryland State Trooper, which he received in 1985.
He also received the award for Outstanding Junior Officer from the United States. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in 1994.
In 1996, he was selected as Legislator of the Year by the Alliance for the Mentally Illinois. Additionally, he was selected as Outstanding Junior Officer in entire Fifth District from the United States. Coast Guard in 1997.
In 2001, as mentioned previously, Kelly was tapped by President Bush to work for the White House. Kelly was responsible for briefing the President on state, local, and tribal issues throughout the United States.
In 2005, together with Ken Meyer, Duane Parde and Daniel J. Ostergaard, he opened a lobbying firm in District of Columbia. 1998 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 9B Voters to choose one: 1994 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 9B Voters to choose one:.
Klima went on to win District 9A"s election. Kelly received numerous awards during his career. He is a member of the Reserve Officers Association and the Maryland Troopers Association. He holds a Certificate of Achievement from the Maryland Federation of College Republicans in 1995. Also in 1997, Kelly received the Certificate of Achievement from the Maryland Association of Psychiatric Support Services.
