Description

FloridaCommerce Secretary Alex Kelly will join us on the December Advocacy Call to discuss the thresholds for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Feedback from many of our member chambers highlights that the program’s current limits, which have not been updated in some time, create challenges for local chambers in fully recovering and effectively supporting their businesses after recent hurricanes. Additionally, Secretary Kelly will provide our members with insight into the many recent initiatives at FloridaCommerce.

About Our Speaker:

J. Alex Kelly currently leads FloridaCommerce 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 then-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 Ju stice, 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 University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida.