Kelley’s interest in stocks and investing was the result of his relationship with his grandfather, a small business owner whose investment philosophy was formed by his experiences during the Great Depression. With everyday life as a classroom, Kelley learned the building blocks of business and how to discern quality offered at good value. From construction sites to the family vegetable garden, the experience of one generation was passed with love to the next.

In college Kelley made a connection between the lessons of his youth and his course work in business and economics. It was during the introduction to securities analysis that Kelley discovered that the lessons from his grandfather were similar to the basics of value investing as taught by Charles Dow and Benjamin Graham. This link from the past to the present was the linchpin that cemented his interest in all things associated with stocks and investing.

His career in the financial services industry began in 1984 as a registered representative and registered principal for both major wire houses and private boutiques. Since 1989 Kelley has been a private money manager and has served as chief investment officer to three investment management firms.

In 2002 Kelley was handpicked by the legendary Geraldine Weiss to succeed her as managing editor of the number-one rated Investment Quality Trends newsletter she started in 1966.