Kelly first attended SCCC from 1985 to 1987 graduating with an A.S. in engineering. He then transferred to Kansas State University to study Mechanical Engineering. I returned to Liberal in 1988 after a decision to change my area of study. I was employed at KSCB Radio and had worked at KQLA Radio in Manhattan. I was interested in pursuing a career in journalism and more specifically sports broadcasting. While here, I took additional classes at SCCC which enabled me to obtain an A.A. in Business / Management. While working at KSCB I took a position as a volunteer firefighter for the Seward County Fire Department in the summer of 1990. That opened the door to a full time position with the City of Liberal Fire Department as Firefighter / EMT. I was employed by the City on August 1, 1991. In my career I have held the rank of Shift Captain, Deputy Chief, and I have been Fire Chief for 13 years now.