James M. Kelly
MSA SC 3520-12252

Extended Biography:

President George W. Bush appointed Mr. Kelly in 2002 to serve in the White House as his Special Assistant for Intergovernmental Affairs.  As his special assistant, Mr. Kelly briefed the President on matters related to state, local, and tribal governments, and traveled throughout America meeting governors, state legislators, county officials, and tribal leaders on his behalf.   
 
Prior to joining the White House team, Mr. Kelly served in the Bush Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Legislative and Congressional Affairs.  Mr. Kelly shepherded the President’s veteran healthcare and benefit initiatives through Capitol Hill, by building strategic relationships among Congressional members, committee staff, and veteran service organizations. 
 
Mr. Kelly served from 1995 to 2002 in the Maryland General Assembly as a member of the House of Delegates representing Baltimore County, Maryland.  Mr. Kelly served on the Economic Matters, and Science and Technology Committees.  In 2001, Mr. Kelly resigned his office to accept his appointment with the Bush Administration. 
 
Before public office, Mr. Kelly was a commercial lender with a Maryland regional bank.  Pulled early from the bank’s commercial executive training program, Mr. Kelly was chosen by bank executives to join the Special Credits Division, and asked to restructure failed and at risk commercial exposures.  After this assignment, he served as a lending officer, leading a commercial portfolio consisting of construction, manufacturing, and technology companies.   
 
While completing his college degree through the evening program, Mr. Kelly served as a trooper in the Maryland State Police.  In his seven-year tenure, Mr. Kelly was a commercial vehicle inspector, a criminal investigator, and barracks trooper.  Once graduated from college, Mr. Kelly resigned from the state police to pursue commercial banking. 
 
Enlisting in the US Coast Guard Reserve while a junior in at Towson High School, Mr. Kelly served as a machinist and crewmember at search and rescue stations on the east coast of the United States.  After his enlistment, Mr. Kelly earned his commission, and now serves as a Commander in the Coast Guard Reserve assigned as the local, state, federal, and tribal government liaison to Coast Guard executive leadership.  His prior Coast Guard assignments include Public and Congressional Affairs, Port Command Duty Officer, and maritime investigations. 
 
Mr. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, University College, and earned his Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies through the US Naval War College.

Provided by James M. Kelly, August 14, 2006

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