Winfield M. "Win" Kelly Jr. (September 2, 1935 – May 19, 2023) served as the County Executive of Prince George's County, Maryland from 1974 to 1978. He had previously served as a member of the Board of County Commissioners in Prince George's County, 1970–71, the Chair of the County Council in Prince George's County, 1971–74 and was a former president, Business and Industry Advisory Council, Prince George's County School System. He later served as the Secretary of State of Maryland in the administration of William Donald Schaefer from 1987 to 1993.

Winfield M. Kelly Jr.
64th Secretary of State of Maryland
In office
1987–1993
GovernorWilliam Donald Schaefer
Preceded byLorraine M. Sheehan
Succeeded byTyras S. Athey
2nd Prince George's County Executive
In office
1974–1978
Preceded byWilliam W. Gullett
Succeeded byLawrence Hogan
Personal details
Born(1935-09-02)September 2, 1935
Prince George's County, Maryland, U.S.
DiedMay 19, 2023(2023-05-19) (aged 87)[1]
Political partyDemocratic

Early life and education

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Born in Prince George's County, Kelly grew up in Brentwood[2] and while in his teens owned a restaurant and a chain of mobile food stands.[3] He began college while County Executive, and later graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park and completed graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University.

Business career

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Before entering politics, Kelly started a business while in his teens called Winnie's Chuck Wagon. Starting with one truck, he eventually owned a 150-vehicle fleet and employed 500. Kelly sold the business in 1968.[4]

In addition to his political career, Kelly worked for Storer Cable, WMK Inc. and Prime Cable starting in 1979. He served as the President of Prime Cable of Maryland, 1985–88, the chair of the board of directors and chief executive officer of the Dimensions Healthcare System, 1985–2003. Dimensions Healthcare System formed in 1982 as a not-for-profit healthcare system serving county residents and was the largest provider of healthcare in Prince George's County. Kelly also worked as the chair and chief executive officer of the Columbia Bancorp and Columbia Bank, was a former director of the First American Bank of Maryland, and was a former chair and chief executive officer, Suburban Bank.[5]

Personal life and community service

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Kelly's family owns an automobile dealership with his name in Clarksville, Maryland.[2] His service in community organizations included his membership with the Prince George's Community College Foundation, the Healthcare Reform Task Force, Maryland Hospital Association, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society, Apartment/Office Building Association, Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, Prince George's Jaycees, and Lions Club, and work as a lector and cantor at St. Jerome's Catholic Church in Hyattsville, Maryland. Kelly was married, with seven children, and ten grandchildren.

References

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  1. ^ "Winfield M. Kelly, Jr. – Obituary". Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Meyer, Eugene L. (October 30, 2003). "Prince George's Old Guard Turns Out for Kelly". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  3. ^ Glaros, Tony (August 28, 2014). "Food truck trend brings dining options to Laurel". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  4. ^ Frece, John W. (January 3, 1993). "Players emerge for 1994 gubernatorial race". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  5. ^ "Kelly Elected a Director Of First American Bank of Md". The Washington Post. April 1, 1985. Archived from the original on November 17, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
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Political offices
Preceded by Prince George's County, Maryland Executive
1974–1978
Succeeded by
Preceded by Secretary of State of Maryland
1987–1993
Succeeded by