Kelly joins the Berkshire Hathaway Commercial Division with over 21 years of real estate experience. His diversity ranges from Agricluture, Heavy Industrial to Commercial Mixed Use. He has been described as a visionary when it comes to real estate utilization. His experience in comprehensive plan amendment, zone change, mixed use and industrial development provides great value to clients. His role as Developer and Managing Partner of the Granary District in McMinnville has forged his skills in leasing negotiations, property acquisition, construction and government relations. His ability to push through roadblocks and find solutions when others could not, has contributed to much of his success.
Kelly received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Computing Science from Linfield College where he also played football and track & field. While attending College, Kelly further expanded his business skills working for and serving as operations manager for a local farm production and processing business which he later purchased just 5 years after graduating from Linfield.
Kelly’s business acumen has been honed from the entrepreneurial roots of his childhood, getting his first bank loan at 12 years old and receiving the State of Oregon’s top award in FFA as Star State Farmer while in high school. His most recent project was the startup of McMinnville’s Grain Station Brew Works which he sold in October 2016. He continues to be a principal in KMI Insurance in McMinnville, an independent insurance agency that specializes in Agriculture, manufacturing, distribution and forestry risk management and risk transfer.
Commitment to community has been a top priority for Kelly, serving 11 years on the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce board of directors as well as numerous McMinnville citizen advisory committees and fundraising organizations. Kelly’s assessment of local need led him in the drive to form the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership as a founding board member, where he has for 16 years and is the current Board Chairman. Kelly was also instrumental in the formation of the McMinnville Urban Renewal Agency which adopted a tax increment financing structure to fund community infrastructure projects.
Being a 6th generation native Oregonian with a background in Willamette Valley production agriculture, Kelly’s work ethic and understanding of value is second to none. His brand promise is to leave no stone unturned while assisting his clients in meeting their goals.
Aside from work, Kelly is a proud Grandpa and enjoys camping and exploring Oregon’s back country with his wife, Cherie, and two dogs, Louie and Maddie, whether by foot, vehicle or especially as a private pilot from the air.