Janet Vestal Kelly | |
|---|---|
| 16th Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources | |
| Assumed office July 8, 2024 | |
| Governor | Glenn Youngkin |
| Preceded by | John Littel |
| Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia | |
| In office January 24, 2010 – January 17, 2014 | |
| Governor | Bob McDonnell |
| Preceded by | Katherine Hanley |
| Succeeded by | Levar Stoney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Janet Elizabeth Vestal February 16, 1976 Alamance, North Carolina |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Robert Keith Polarek
(m. 1997, divorced)Ryan Patrick Kelly
(m. 2012) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Liberty University (BA) |
| Signature |  |
Janet Vestal Kelly (born February 16, 1976) is a former Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, serving from 2010 through 2014 as part of the cabinet of Governor Bob McDonnell.[1][2] She previously served as Chief Operations Officer of McDonnell's gubernatorial campaign and on his staff in the Attorney General's office.[3] During McDonnell's federal corruption trial, Kelly served as a key witness for the defense.[4][5]
Kelly currently serves as Principal & Director of Government Relations for America's Kids Belong, as well as President of Virginia's Kids Belong, organizations devoted to uniting government, faith-based, creative, and business sectors to end the foster care & adoption crisis in the US.[6]
Kelly married Robert Keith Polarek on August 9, 1997.[7] The two later divorced, and Kelly married Ryan Patrick Kelly in 2012.
- ^ Profile, nbc12.com; accessed January 4, 2017.
- ^ "Bob McDonnell's cabinet". 30 January 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2017 – via washingtonpost.com.
- ^ "Governor-elect McDonnell announces transition staff". 7 November 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
- ^ Weisman, Jonathan; Maguire, Ken (18 August 2014). "Aide Describes Staff Revolt Against Former Virginia Governor's Wife". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 June 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Alter, Charlotte (20 August 2014). "Why a 'Blame the Woman' Defense Works So Well for Troubled Politicians". Time. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
- ^ "Virginia's Kids Belong | Every Child Needs a Loving Home". vakidsbelong.org. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
- ^ "Vestal-Polarek". Daily Press. August 31, 1997. p. G5. Retrieved April 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.