Dr. Ron Kelley currently serves as CEO and Chairman of the National Mentoring Foundation. The National Mentoring Foundation is an award-winning 501 (c)(3) national nonprofit dedicated to mentoring at-risk African-American male students. Retiring in 2021, he previously served as CEO of the National Training and Education Group, a national education company that provides training for schools, producing dynamic results in improving student test scores and discipline management. He is a certified superintendent, has worked at the school district central office level, and is the former principal of two high-performing schools. He has served as an award-winning adjunct professor at: St. Philip’s College, Northeast Lakeview College, San Antonio College, and Houston Community College. He previously worked as an executive in the music industry, working with various platinum recording artists and serving as a member of the Recording Academy which selects the Grammy Awards. In 2008, his innovative “Edu-Rap” educational music series was selected for the Grammy Ballot.He received his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, his Master’s Degree from Texas State University, and his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin, making him one of the small number of graduates with degrees from both of Texas’ flagship universities, the University of Texas and Texas A&M. He is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and is also a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity(The Boulé). He was one of the youngest to ever receive the 33rd and last degree of Freemasonry. He has also served as a state and national officer ijn the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He has published 10 nationally-acclaimed books in the education field and was inducted into the Educators’ Hall of Fame in 2018. He was recently selected by the City of San Antonio as the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Achievement Award. He was also recently commissioned a “Kentucky Colonel” by the Governor of Kentucky for his contributions to society. This is the highest title bestowed by the Governor.