Kelly L. Smallridge is the President and CEO at the helm of Palm Beach County’s leading public/private economic development agency, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB). As the longest-tenured economic development President in the State of Florida, Kelly has a formidable track record, spearheading some of the largest job creation projects in the region. Recognized for her exceptional dedication, Governor Rick Scott presented Kelly with the prestigious Governor’s Ambassador Medal in 2013, acknowledging her relentless efforts in job creation for Palm Beach County. Recently, in March 2022, she earned induction into the University of Florida’s Academy of Golden Gators, solidifying her impact on economic development. At the forefront of the BDB, Kelly orchestrates all operations, leading one of only five Accredited Economic Development Boards in the State of Florida. Breaking barriers in 2004, she became the first female President of a South Florida economic development board, showcasing her leadership after serving in various pivotal roles within the organization. Distinguished in her service, Kelly sits on national, state and local boards such as Select Florida, Southern Economic Development Council, International Economic Development Council, South Florida Fair, the Homeless Coalition, and The Education Foundation. Her dynamic presence has been showcased on major media outlets, including Fox News, CNBC, Bloomberg, and the NY Post, where she highlighted the assets of Palm Beach County and spearheaded the “Wall Street South” initiative in 2013 and 2021. Under Kelly's visionary leadership, the BDB has revolutionized Palm Beach County's economy, earning numerous state and national accolades for recruiting and expanding companies in the region. Credited with initiating the Wall Street South initiative, the BDB has attracted over 100 financial service firms to Palm Beach County, contributing to the economic transformation of the area. Known for her assertive approach, Kelly's facilitation of relocations and expansions has led to significant job announcements from major companies, including Carrier Corporation, Amazon, ADT, Pratt & Whitney, Finfrock, Fed Ex, Sikorsky Helicopters, Aldi, and TBC Corporation. Kelly is also recognized for her innovative contributions, creating pioneering programs for Palm Beach County, such as the first Expedited Permitting Ordinance adopted by 15 cities, a countywide “Shovel Ready” program, and several education initiatives for high school and college students. Her impressive list of awards and recognitions includes being named Florida Economic Developer of the Year in 2022, Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches in 2022, and consistently appearing among "Florida's 500 Most Influential Business Leaders" by Florida Trend for the last decade. Kelly's impact extends to various prestigious titles, such as "Palm Beach 100" by Palm Beach Media Group, "Top 40 Business Leaders" by South Florida CEO, "Ultimate CEO" by the South Florida Business Journal, and more. A proud University of Florida graduate and a resident of Wellington, Kelly Smallridge is not only a trailblazer in economic development but also a mother to three sons.