A native of Atlanta, Kelly graduated from St. Pius High School (1977) and the University of Georgia in 1981. Kelly worked with Merritt & McKenzie from 1981 – 1999 where he helped grow the company from 15 employees and 4,500,000 in premiums to over 65 employees and over 85 million in premiums.
In 1999 Merritt & McKenzie sold to Synaxis and Kelly merged his operation in with Little & Smith, Inc. In November 2005 Kelly reunited with some of the former Merritt & McKenzie employees and formed Mitcham & McKenzie, Inc. In 2008 Mitcham & McKenzie was featured in Forbes magazine as one of the “Ten Most Dependable Agents in The East”. In 2010 McKenzie Risk Advisors was formed to handle and support Kelly’s growing business. He currently serves as President of McKenzie Risk Advisors.
Being in Insurance business for over 35 years, Kelly has been a leader both on a local and state level. During the 1980’s he served on numerous committees of the Atlanta Association of Independent Insurance Agents. In 1992 he became Chairman of the Young Agents Committee YAC of Georgia. During Kelly’s term as Chairman, the Independent Insurance Agents of America recognized Georgia YAC as the “Most Outstanding YAC in the Country”. He also rose through the Chairs of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia IIAG and became president of IIAG in 2001. While an officer of IIAG the banks were trying to gain entrance into the insurance industry. Kelly spent a lot of time lobbying legislatures at the State Capital as well as our Senators and Congressman on Capital Hill in Washington, DC to ensure a level playing field for the independent insurance industry would continue.
Outside of the insurance industry Kelly has served as Chairman of the Board of Education of Christ the King School. Furthermore, he has also served as President of the St. Pius Alumni Association. Kelly has also coached youth sports in metro Atlanta for over 25 years.
Kelly is most proud of his wife, Lisa, and their 4 children.