Kelly Knowles

In her role as Vice President Political & State Affairs, Kelly oversees ABA’s political engagement programs including American Bakers PAC, the Political Action Committee of grain-based foods. Since joining ABA in 2002, Kelly has revitalized and strengthened the PAC through increased ABA member participation, fundraising and strategic disbursements. Election cycle receipts in 2018 exceeded $390,000, an all-time ABA high.

Kelly also leads ABA’s state government relations efforts and is responsible for providing strategic legislative and regulatory outreach to state legislatures and agencies on issues impacting the baking industry.

Kelly holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington; a Graduate Certificate in Political Action Committees (PACs) & Political Management and a Masters in Legislative Affairs from the George Washington University.

A Goldsboro, North Carolina native, Kelly is an active member of the North Carolina and Texas Societies of Washington, The American Society of Association Executives, the National Association of Business Political Action Committees, the Innovate to Motivate Advisory Committee, the Business & Industry Political Action Committee Prosperity Project Steering Committee and the Dripping Springs Independent School District Advisory Council.

Kelly resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband Andy DeVilling and their daughter, Savannah.