Kelly was raised on a farm in Minnesota with five siblings and began in the hospitality industry as a bartender and server. After completing a degree in Culinary Arts, Kelly went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a BS degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Upon graduation Kelly joined Marriott Hotels and began his 18-year career with the company as the Banquet Manager at the Chicago Renaissance Hotel. This was followed by assignments in hotel operations at Marriott properties in Austin, TX, Dallas, TX, Fort Worth, TX and South Bend, IN. Kelly relocated to Granger in 2004 with his wife Deb and Sons Jack and Jimmy. Kelly volunteers as a Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 555 in Granger.