Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Senator Francis “Frank” Kelly Jr. Is Helping To Change Our World
Money should not be your priority. It’s a need that must be met, but it is not the most important need. Helping others, family, improving communities with lasting impact; these should be top priorities.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing former Maryland state senator Francis “Frank” Kelly Jr.
Guided by his dedication to family, faith and community, the Honorable Francis X. Kelly Jr. has carved out an exemplary role in public service, business and civic involvement — a career grounded in his spiritual commitment to personal ethics and professional integrity.
A resident of Hunt Valley, Maryland, Frank and his wife, Janet, in 1976 founded a business in the basement of their Timonium home to assist owners of small companies acquire affordable health insurance benefits for their employees. Today, Kelly & Associates Insurance Group (KAIG) is one of Maryland’s fastest growing privately held firms. It is the region’s leading health insurance broker/administrator with approximately 10,000 corporate clients. The expanding enterprise (KELLY), now run by their four sons, includes other entities that provide payroll and retirement plan services and, together, KELLY now employs approximately 450 people at its Sparks and regional offices. Frank is the Chairman of KAIG.
He is a graduate of Villanova University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics, a major that has proved its value. In 1979, Frank won election to the Maryland State Senate representing the citizens of northern Baltimore County. It was the start of a 12-year tenure defined by leadership, effectiveness and compassion.
Senator Kelly sponsored Maryland’s Spending Affordability Law, which created the Spending Affordability Committee in 1984 and has since saved taxpayers millions of dollars. He also supported legislation that helped create the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), the University System of Maryland and the upgrade and revamping of the Medevac helicopter fleet.
