Executive
Leadership,
Suzy Kelly, CEO
Susan H. (Suzy) Kelly is Chief Executive Officer of Jo-Kell Inc., a woman-owned small business. Jo-Kell Inc. is an electrical distribution, engineering, and solutions provider servicing the military, commercial marine and industrial marketplaces for over thirty years. Jo-Kell Inc. employs over 60 people in offices located in Chesapeake and Richmond, Virginia, as well as in Jacksonville, Florida.
Kelly began her career at Jo-Kell in 1978. Under the leadership of Joseph Kelly, the founding father of Jo-Kell, Kelly served as Corporate Treasurer, Corporate Secretary, and Executive Vice President. After the retirement of Joe Kelly, Suzy Kelly assumed the title of CEO in 2002. Along with her husband, Marty, the two continue to lead this growing small business.
Under Kelly’s leadership, Jo-Kell’s mission has been to continually provide safe, reliable, high-quality products, systems, and services to all their customers. With state-of-the-art products, well-trained employees and a dedicated management team, Jo-Kell continually strives to meet the dynamic needs of the military, commercial marine and industrial community.
In addition to running Jo-Kell, Kelly has served on numerous boards and organizations which include:
- Appointed to Governor McDonnell's Task Force on State Mandates on Localities, 2011
- Chesapeake Virginia Wine Festival; Wine Store Chair, October, 2011
- Elected to Chesapeake City Council, May 4, 2010
- Appointed to Governor's Commision on Government Reform and Restructuring, May , 2010
- Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Board Member 2009
- Vice Chair, Political Organization, Chesapeake GOP 2008
- Chesapeake Jubilee Chair, 2010
-
Executive Advisory Council, ODU School of Business, 2008
- Regional Vice-Chair of ACIBC (Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition)
- National Founding Partner WIPP (Women Impacting Public Policy)
- Board of Advisors for Sun Trust Bank
- Advisory Board Member for the Chesapeake Police Department
- Division Chair and Board Member of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.
- Board of Trustees Lead Hampton Roads
- Rotary Club of Greenbrier
- Board Member of Norfolk Collegiate School
- Board of Trustees Chesapeake Health Foundation
- Board Member of Friends of Chesapeake Animal Services
Kelly has received many awards and recognitions including:
- SBI Minerva Award, April 2011
- Chesapeake Police Chief's Award of Recognition, August, 2010
- Outstanding Entrepreneur Award, ODU 2009
- MLK Leadership Award, January 2009
- Inside Business; Women in Business Achievement Award 2008
- Interview in Marine Log magazine April 2008
- NAWBO Community Service Award 2008
- Leadership Hampton Roads “Julian F. Hirst” Leadership Award 2007
- Honorary Tailhook member: USS Enterprise, May 2007
- Chesapeake Citizen’s Police Academy, 2006 Graduate
- Corporate Volunteer Excellence Award, awarded by VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads, 2004, to Jo-Kell Inc.
- Top Corporation Award, Hampton Roads Crime Line, 2004, awarded to Jo-Kell Inc.
- HRCC, Chairman’s Award, 2002: Awarded by the Chesapeake Division of the Chamber for outstanding service.
- Chesapeake Small Business of the Year, 2002, awarded to Jo-Kell Inc.
- Athena Award, 2001: Nationally recognized award for community commitment.
In addition to her service on community boards and committees, Suzy Kelly is a regional keynote speaker in disaster preparedness for the workforce. She has made presentations including:
- “Taking Care of Business,” June 27, 2007
- “Organizational Survival Workshop for Pandemic Flu” August 22, 2006
- Virginia Beach Department of Health, Disaster Preparedness Presentation, 2006
- Smithfield School Administration, Disaster Preparedness Presentation, 2006
Kelly has also made additional presentations including:
- “Roles & Responsibilities of Non-Profit Board Members,” Junior League, June 14, 2008
Additionally, Kelly has been a panelist for the following forums:
- Virginia Chamber of Commerce , Conference on Virginia’s Future, “Capitalism at a Crossroads, October 21, 2009
- “From Racial Division to Reconciliation: The American Journey” January 25, 2009
- “Christian Principles and Racial Progress and How it Relates to the Upcoming Election.” August 9, 2008-08-08
- “Is America Ready for a Black President?,” Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men, Inc. , July 19, 2008
Contributing to the needs of the community is very important to Kelly. Every October the employees of Jo-Kell participate in a food drive. In 2007, the Jo-Kell team contributed over two tons of food for the local food bank. In addition, the Jo-Kell team supports many worthwhile organizations and charities including St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the U.S. Military stationed in Iraq, the local Police Department, the Ronald McDonald House, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and many more. Recently, Jo-Kell held fundraisers to purchase twenty Pet Oxygen Masks. Animal Rescue of Tidewater disributed the kits to several Norfolk Fire Department stations and a local FEMA rescue team.
Kelly is married to Marty Kelly, President of Jo-Kell Inc. and they have four children. Kelly is an avid runner, enjoys girl’s basketball, and supports local sports including the Norfolk Tides and the ODU Monarchs. She also has an interest in both local and national politics and recently was elected to the Chesapeake City Council in the 2010.
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