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.

The role of mayor in Vermillion is manager of the city council team—that is my professional experience. I am not just a team player, I am a team builder, and I want to create and lead Team Vermillion into the future.

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.