Kelly Wismer joined the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in 2021 as chief of staff to the executive director. ARC is an economic development partnership, where the federal government and 13 state governments work together to spur innovation, job creation and economic growth in 423 counties across the Appalachian Region.
Before joining ARC, Kelly was the legislative affairs director for broadband and telecommunications issues at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), where she worked on behalf of the nation’s electric cooperatives to help bridge the digital divide. Before NRECA, she worked in the policy and communications shops at NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association on strategic outreach initiatives and as the public relations manager.
Kelly also served as a legislative aide to a former US senator from South Dakota on various issues including telecommunications. Hailing from a small, rural South Dakota town, rural issues have always been part of her personal and professional life. Kelly holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in economics and political science from the University of South Dakota and has served on the National Rural Economic Developers Association Board of Directors.