Kelly Kelkenberg to Run for Duluth Council Post 4

Kelvin “Kelly” Kelkenberg, a current member of the Duluth Planning Commission, announced that he will seek the Post 4 seat on the Duluth City Council being vacated by Doug Mundrick, who is not running for re-election.  

Kelkenberg said he would bring skills, which he honed throughout more than 40 years service in the military and in key government roles on national, regional, and local levels, to the city council position. In the third year of his planning commission term, Kelkenberg formerly was a member of the Duluth Zoning Board of Appeals.

He also served on the Engage Gwinnett committee, which reviewed the county’s finances and services and made recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Presently, Kelkenberg serves on Duluth’s new Advanced Budget Committee, which is developing a long-term financial strategy for the city. He is a graduate of Duluth’s L.E.A.D. Academy leadership program.

“Strong financial management and economic development and re-development are two of the most important issues the city faces,” Kelkenberg said. “Duluth must be prepared to meet these challenges as the economy recovers.”

“There is a strong demand for public services with very limited funding available to provide them,” he said. “Tough financial choices must be made.”

“Duluth is a proud city with a strong heritage,” Kelkenberg also said. “We must preserve that history while moving the city forward.” 

He is employed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional office in Atlanta as director of the Mission Support Division for Region IV. Kelkenberg is responsible for providing financial, personnel, contracting, information technology, facility, and security services for more 1,700 FEMA employees who serve the eight southeastern states. Prior to his current position Kelly served as the National Preparedness Division director for the region.

Kelkenberg and his family adopted Duluth as their hometown 12 years ago when he retired as a colonel from the U.S. Air Force after 30 years of service. Since coming to Duluth, he has become active in the community. Kelkenberg has served on the Duluth Fall Festival committee for many years in various capacities. He is a board member of Sentinels of Freedom Gwinnett and Plaque Busters Inc. In addition, he is a member of American Legion Post 251 in Duluth.

He began his career in the private sector in the chemical and transportation industry, where he focused on, among other things, environmental and safety issues involved in the transport of hazardous materials. Before joining FEMA in 1999, Kelkenberg served as the director of the Office of Transportation and Emergency Management with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Prior to his service with DOE, Kelkenberg was employed by the Civil Engineer of the U.S. Air Force and worked with communities impacted by Air Force base closures on environmental and economic development issues.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Eastern New Mexico University. He is also a graduate of the USAF Air War College and the Federal Executive Institute.

Kelkenberg resides in Duluth with his wife Kimberly, daughter Kathryn, two dogs and three cats. He is the father of four children and grandfather of seven.

Qualifying for Posts 4 and 5 on the city council begins Aug. 29 and continues through Aug. 31. Post 5 is held by Councilman Greg Whitlock, who plans to seek re-election. Voter registration deadline for this election is Oct. 11. The election is scheduled for Nov. 8 at Duluth City Hall.