Scott Kelley's

Leadership

High School to Army

I joined the U.S. Army at age 17 and served as a paratrooper, journalist, and public affairs officer. By age 22, I was escorting international media in war zones and providing media and public affairs guidance to brigade commanders. I proudly served in the Kosovo War and War on Terrorism, peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Haiti, and natural disaster responses in the Carolinas. 

Post-Military

After earing a journalism degree at the prestigious University of Nevada Reynolds School of Journalism, I served as the public information lead for Nevada's Corrections, Energy, and Rural Housing departments. 

More recently, I worked at a PR agency and led outreach for a national media campaign at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.

Qualities that make me a good leader include adaptability, integrity, communication skills, vision, and a commitment to continuous learning. 

Communications

External

I'm proud of the messaging I disseminated during the Kosovo War because it helped diffuse an international crisis and save lives.

At SAMHSA, I collaborated with cross-functional teams to design marketing content that generated $295M in earned media and over 25 billion impressions. At State of Nevada, I led a multi-year outreach effort to promote the construction of EV charging stations in rural Nevada by earning placement of top-tier media coverage of this initiative.

Internal

At the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade, I published award-winning stories about unit accomplishments which led to a high sense of accomplishment for U.S. Army Europe's rapid reaction force. At Nevada Department of Corrections, I implemented layered strategies to ensure leadership messaging reached 2,600 staff located at 23 work camps and prisons throughout the state.

I’m adept at leading complex projects through collaboration, flexibility, and forward momentum. 

Content Marketing

I'm a naturally creative person who prospers at the intersection between creating content and communicating it to the world.

I can work with graphics teams and outside vendors to create impactful content that link strategy, performance, and culture. Or I can work solo and use design software to create annual and weekly reports, digital newsletters, print PSAs, and more. Portfolio examples are listed below.

An award-winning journalist, I excel at writing powerful messages that capture and hold an audience's attention. For instance, I worked with Nevada’s governor and his executive team to create messaging for ribbon cutting ceremonies, press conferences, and the annual State of the State address to the Nevada legislature.

At the federal government, I wrote messaging about preventing underage drinking that appeared on billboards and PSAs and was distributed to millions of people.

I'm able to create public-facing content and connect it to high-level strategy with meticulous and ethical execution.

Outside of Work

I live in Sparks, Nevada, and have two sons.

In 2020, I set myself the goal of visiting all 66 U.S. national parks within 10 years. Since then, I've visited 35 national parks and had amazing experiences in some of the world's most beautiful places. I have "just" 31 national parks to go.

I served two elected terms on my local school board, an executive-level position that provided me a wealth of experience in thought-leadership and community and business relations. As a community leader, I also served on citizen advisory committees focusing on banking and finance, the arts, youth empowerment, civic development, healthcare, and regional transportation.

Finally, I'm a social media influencer and own popular Facebook, TikTok, and X profiles where I post travel tips and ways to have safe outdoor adventures.

I believe in giving back to my community. When not serving others, I recharge my batteries spending time with family in the Great Outdoors.