J. Alex Kelly currently leads Florida Commerce as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce. Prior to his appointment, Kelly held the Deputy Chief of
Staff role in the Governor’s Office since April 2021.

 

Kelly has an extensive background and expertise in education and economic development having served as the Vice President for the Foundation of Excellence in Education and the Chief of Staff to the Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran in 2019.

​

In total, Kelly held roles in the Florida House of Representatives on the three occasions and in the Florida Senate, including Staff Director for
the Redistricting Committee in the Florida House of Representatives and Chief Analyst for the House’s Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning. He served as the Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, and Legislative Affairs Director at the
Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

​

Kelly earned both a bachelor’s degree in political science from York College of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida.