Executive Leadership

Suzy Kelly, CEO

Susan H. Kelly (Suzy) is CEO of Jo-Kell Inc., a woman-owned small business specializing in Navy shipboard and high-tech industrial automation products, systems and services. Jo-Kell has been in business since 1977 and currently has over 70 employees with offices in Chesapeake, VA; Richmond, VA; San Diego, California; and Jacksonville, FL. Under Kelly’s leadership, Jo-Kell has become a world-class electrical distribution firm and has been recognized by Northrup Grumman as the Supplier of the Year.

Mrs. Kelly is engaged and connected to the community in many ways, including the public policy arena. In 2010, Kelly was elected to the Chesapeake City Council and was re-elected in 2014 and served until 2018. In addition to her elected position, Suzy serves on many boards, committees, and commissions including the Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Commission, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce executive committee, and the Executive Advisory Council for Old Dominion University, to name a few. She was also appointed to Governor McDonald’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructure.

In addition to her community engagement, Suzy Kelly is passionate about her faith. Along with Deacon Adrian Marchi, Suzy co-founded Catholic Passion Ministries, www.catholicpassion.org, and has a blog where she writes about issues of faith and culture, http://www.catholicpassion.org/blog/. Suzy is a guest on local radio programs and promotes the faith through radio commercials, http://www.catholicpassion.org/media/.

Always looking for ways to provide to those in need in the community, Suzy began “Chesapeake Can Do”, www.chesapeakecando.com. This program encourages organizations to develop food drives to support hunger in the local community. Through this program, Jo-Kell has contributed over thirteen thousand pounds of food to the local food bank every year. The City of Chesapeake and Chesapeake Public Schools have also embraced this program.

Suzy Kelly has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to the community by many organizations. She has received the Athena Award, a national recognition for community commitment. In addition, the local community has recognized her accomplishments over the years with awards including Outstanding Entrepreneur Award by Old Dominion University, the Women in Business Achievement Award by Inside Business, the Julian F. Hirst Leadership Award by Lead Hampton Roads as well as many other awards and honors.

As a recognized leader in business and the community, Suzy Kelly often speaks to groups on leadership, business, community service, and public policy. She has been named on Inside Business’s Power List for Hampton Roads for several years. Her passion is her faith, her family, and her community. Suzy is married to Marty Kelly. They have four children and thirteen grandchildren.