Kelly O’Connor serves GMS as a Project Manager, utilizing her wealth of knowledge and experience in state government and economic development.  Kelly has previously served as the Special Advisor for Economic Development for the Democratic Caucus of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where she worked with legislators and constituents to identify state funding sources for projects throughout the Commonwealth.  While she worked with all state grant programs on some level, Kelly’s particular area of expertise is the Commonwealth Financing Authority and Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).  As Special Advisor, Kelly worked under the House Democratic Leader and the House Democratic Appropriations Committee.  She also developed many relationships with state representatives and senators, as well as officials in the Governor’s Office and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.             
 

Over nearly two decades, Kelly has fulfilled many roles for the PA House, including the Caucus Director for the Northeast Democratic Delegation and Senior Legislative Specialist for the Caucus Administrator’s Office.  Prior to the House, Kelly specialized in workforce development for the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers Association of Mid-Eastern PA.        
 

Fun Facts:      
Kelly is an adventurer!  To date, she has visited 46 of the 50 United States and currently has her sights set on the final four.  Fear isn’t a factor for this adrenaline junkie. Rock climbing, hiking, and white-water rafting are typical on her travel itineraries.      
 

While travel has enriched Kelly’s life in many ways, it unfortunately has not improved her admittedly lackluster culinary skills.  She is a self-professed “terrible cook” and the butt of cooking jokes among her family, especially her two teenage sons.  Kelly is also obsessed with British TV shows (just not the baking ones).