About Kevin

My name is Kevin O’Kelley, and I am running for mayor. My wife Samantha and I moved to Vermillion 14 years ago to be closer to her parents, and we love our community.

In 2024, I retired as an administrator at the University of South Dakota and I’ve been active in Vermillion civic and public life for several years. I’ve served on the Vermillion Planning & Zoning Commission, as well as the Boards of the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival and the Clay County Historical Society. I’m a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee and a Manager of the Clay County POD, a biological emergency planning group. USD students also may recognize me as a Safe Ride bus driver.

My management philosophy is to help others to be successful, and my career success was built on my ability to form coalitions, develop consensus, and follow through to goal completion.

The work we do in the next few years will shape Vermillion’s long-term future, and I want to help lead our city through this important period. Growth and change are inevitable, so our focus must be on planning for the future. I hope to meet with as many Vermillion residents as possible to plan our future together and make my case for your support.