Stephanie Kelly has spent more than two decades building a career in the Lake Oconee construction industry, and she has spent much of that time trying to make sure the next generation gets the same chance. As LOABA's Workforce Development Chairman and Treasurer and Secretary of the Fairway POA, Kelly brings a long-view perspective to one of the association's most important efforts: connecting young people in Greene County with real careers in the trades.

Kelly's roots in the industry run deep. She grew up watching her father, Dick Kreusch, build custom homes at Lake Oconee, and she spent eight years on the construction side before joining Metro Water Filter, where she has now worked for 13 years in homebuilder sales. She has been involved with LOABA throughout, serving as vice president and president and leading or supporting many of the association's committees.

Her commitment to workforce development is not new. In 2007, she and fellow member Charlie Vill began visiting Greene County High School to introduce students to the trades and the opportunities those careers could offer. She stepped away from the industry when the market collapsed in 2008, but LOABA called her back in 2019, and she rejoined the board in 2020, ready to pick up where she left off.

"In Greene County specifically, there have been a lot of students who weren't college-bound and are lost," she said. "For me, being able to work with the students and try to show them opportunities for their future and opportunities that will create a lifestyle that allows them to support themselves and own a home is something special."

Kelly's approach is hands-on. She speaks at Greene County High School and Lake Oconee Academy, sits on advisory committees at both schools and arranges field trips and job shadowing opportunities through LOABA. She also brings in voices from the industry itself, so students can see themselves reflected in people who have already built something.

"The biggest hope is that through exposure to successful people in the industry, the students will see themselves as successful too," she said.

Outside of her work with LOABA, Kelly volunteers with Atlas Ministry and has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). She and her husband, Mike, live at Lake Oconee.

LOABA thanks Stephanie for her dedication to building not just the industry's workforce, but the futures of the young people in our community. A special thank you as well to Metro Water Filter and Jon Frketic for their support in making this work possible.