"I saw the night sky with the moon and bright stars and the flashing lights of so many planes flying safely. I knew then that your footprint on this earth is really in the sky."

His tenure at the National Transportation Safety Board, Washington, D.C. spanned nearly four decades from 1964 to 1990. He was able to greatly influence the direction of aviation safety and made a difference to millions of passengers and crews. He will be remembered for his integrity, compassion, and many contributions he made to our Nation's air travel

His 1955 completion of the U.S. Navy's flight school designated him as a naval fighter pilot flying single/multi-engine jet aircraft. He transferred to the Marines and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1958. He then worked as an Air Traffic Controller with the Federal Aviation Agency, until 1964.

His tenure at the National Transportation Safety Board, Washington, DC spanned almost four decades from 1964 to 1990 in the following positions where he was able to greatly influence the direction of aviation safety. He made a difference to millions of passengers, crews, and companies. He will be remembered for his integrity, compassion, and many contributions he made to our Nation's air travel

As an Air Safety Investigator for the Civil Aeronautics Board, from 1964-1967, Mr. Kelley worked in the area of accident data management.
As an Air Safety Investigator, 1967 - 1974, he was involved in the design and deployment of an automated system for maintaining information on U.S. civil aviation accidents.
As Chief of the Information System Division, 1974 - 1982, he supervised special analyses of accident data to develop safety recommendations.
As Chief of the Safety Recommendations Division, 1982 - 1983, he managed the Safety Board's program for developing and issuing safety recommendations and was responsible for the automated system that analyzed and disseminated that information.
As Chief of the Operational Factors Division, 1983 - 1990, Mr. Kelley managed the investigations of major aircraft accidents and developing safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.
He retired from the MITRE Corporation as an Aviation Systems Analyst in 2002.
Special ACT/Group Awards from National Transportation Safety Board:
Washington National Airport Approach Investigation, 1984.
Improvements in the Safety of the Air Traffic Control System, 1985.
Investigation of Runway Incursion Incidents and Final Report Preparation, 1986.

Safety Accomplishment/Awards from National Transportation Safety Board:
Detection and Avoidance of Aviation Wind Shear Hazard, 1987.
Safety Enhancements in the Air Traffic Control System, 1987.
Special Investigation of the Chicago O'Hare Air Traffic Control Facility, 1988.
Special Investigation of the Coast Terminal Radar Approach Facility, 1989.

He retired from the MITRE Corporation as an Aviation Systems Analyst in 2002.