About

Robert H. Kelly, JD, MPA, MA

Robert H. Kelly began his career in county government in the Clerk to the Commission Office before joining the late Commissioner Emma I. Darnell's staff as the Assistant to the Commissioner for Public Policy & Legislative Affairs. He currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman. He holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Georgia, and earned his bachelor's degree at the University of West Georgia. Prior to entering the public sector, Robert worked for the number one consumer goods company in the world as an Account Manager on their Southeastern Corporate Sales Team managing 3-billion dollar brands. Kelly married to his law-school sweetheart, he is the father of two toddlers: a son and daughter, Levi and Lily Kelly. He is a resident of the City of South Fulton.

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Chief of Staff, Office of Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman

In his current role as Chief of Staff in the Mighty 6 District Office, Robert Kelly provides overall leadership of the team that supports the management, operations, communications, legislative affairs and outreach for Commissioner Khadijah and the District 6 Office. He also provides senior policy research and analysis used in the planning and implementation of public policy and legislation. A few of his recent legislative and community accomplishments include the following:

Co-wrote the American Rescue Plan legislation passed by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, 3/21, allowing for over $75M in rental assistance to date.
Spearheaded the In-Court Eviction Relief Program which provided service staff in court to intercept eviction proceedings assisting both landlords and tenants.
Served on the Committee and aided in the creation of the IGA to create and operate the Center for Diversion and Services (Center), which serves as a pre-arrest drop-off point for law enforcement to divert individuals experiencing concerns related to homelessness, mental health, substance use, and/or poverty, to receive services in a supportive environment in lieu of jail.

Special Asst. to Commissioner for Public Policy & Legislative Affairs Emma I. Darnell

Robert served as the Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Public Policy & Legislative Affairs for the late Commissioner Emma I. Darnell until her passing in 2019. In this role Kelly was specially trained and mentored by Darnell in the creation of efficient and effective policies for our community. A few of the policies that Robert helped to develop during this time are the following:

Resolution to Amend Fulton County's Legislative Package to Include the Amendment to the Georgia Code to Address Property Tax Increases Caused by the Construction of Large Expensive Homes in Historically Low and Moderate Income Households.
Initiative to address Health Inequities across the County, including legislation to address pollution points in our neighborhoods. (At the time Fulton Industrial was named #1 Environmental Justice Hotspot in metro-ATL region).