Gov. Ron DeSantis hired Alex Kelly, a UF alumnus and commerce secretary, as his chief of staff Aug. 8.
Kelly will work alongside senior advisor David Dewhirst, DeSantis’ press secretary Jeremy Redfern told Florida Politics.
DeSantis’ now former chief of staff James Uthemeier, also a UF alumnus, was appointed as his presidential campaign manager the same day. Generra Peck, DeSantis’ former campaign manager, will remain on the campaign as a strategist.
Kelly has an extensive history in state politics since leaving the university.
After graduating from UF with a master of arts in political science in 2000, Kelly began his career as a campaign manager for state Sen. Anna Cowin, R-20.
He then worked as a legislative aide for state representative Aaron Bean, who is now a U.S. congressman.
In 2005, Kelly joined the Florida Department of Elder Affairs as director of legislative affairs.
In 2013, Kelly joined the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a non-profit education reform think tank established by former Gov. Jeb Bush. He left in 2018 after serving as vice president for advocacy for three years.
In 2019, Kelly returned to the public sector as chief of staff for the Florida Department of Education.
Two years later, Gov. DeSantis appointed Kelly as his deputy chief of staff. Kelly oversaw several departments as deputy chief of staff, including Education, Economic Opportunity and State.
Contact Garrett at gshanley@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @garrettshanley.
Garrett Shanley is a fourth-year journalism major and the Summer 2024 university editor for The Alligator. Outside of the newsroom, you can find him watching Wong Kar-Wai movies and talking to his house plants.
