Whitwell C. Kelly
Whitwell C. Kelly grew up working in the family businesses (starting in the machine shop at age 14), several of which were Tier 1 automotive suppliers with customers like Ford, Volvo and Harley-Davidson. He has 25+ years experience in sales, manufacturing, operations, quality assurance, supply chain management, project management, product development and global sourcing.
A proven entrepreneur with multiple startups (including one in Germany), known for simplifying processes and workflows, and creating sales and revenue. Whitwell is experienced in implementing various elements of lean manufacturing, including Theory of Constraints/DBR, SMED/QDC, 5S, Poka-yoke, kanban, etc. He has worked in Asia and Europe, serving customers ranging from inventors to automotive OEMs.
An early entrepreneur, in 1990 he helped start the first brewpub since Prohibition in Roanoke, Virginia. Sadly, they were too far ahead of their time, but he has not lost his interest in the restaurant business.
Starting in 2015, Whit transitioned into insurance, working for James Houston’s Allstate Agency in Roanoke, Virginia. In March 2017, he purchased the agency, and he was Rookie of the Year for western Virginia and West Virginia. He has since purchased a second agency and is now one of the largest Allstate agents in his market.
In March 2018, he was asked to become the President of Brick Abode, a contract software firm with its operational center in Florianopolis, Brazil. During the past 4+ years, Brick Abode has grown substantially and currently has 40+ software engineers serving customers in the USA, Europe and Asia.
Whit graduated from Roanoke College with a BA in International Relations, and earned his MBA from the Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, in International Business with a focus on China. Conversational proficiency with Mandarin Chinese and Portuguese. He lives with his wife and two children in Salem, VA
A proven entrepreneur with multiple startups (including one in Germany), known for simplifying processes and workflows, and creating sales and revenue. Whitwell is experienced in implementing various elements of lean manufacturing, including Theory of Constraints/DBR, SMED/QDC, 5S, Poka-yoke, kanban, etc. He has worked in Asia and Europe, serving customers ranging from inventors to automotive OEMs.
An early entrepreneur, in 1990 he helped start the first brewpub since Prohibition in Roanoke, Virginia. Sadly, they were too far ahead of their time, but he has not lost his interest in the restaurant business.
Starting in 2015, Whit transitioned into insurance, working for James Houston’s Allstate Agency in Roanoke, Virginia. In March 2017, he purchased the agency, and he was Rookie of the Year for western Virginia and West Virginia. He has since purchased a second agency and is now one of the largest Allstate agents in his market.
In March 2018, he was asked to become the President of Brick Abode, a contract software firm with its operational center in Florianopolis, Brazil. During the past 4+ years, Brick Abode has grown substantially and currently has 40+ software engineers serving customers in the USA, Europe and Asia.
Whit graduated from Roanoke College with a BA in International Relations, and earned his MBA from the Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, in International Business with a focus on China. Conversational proficiency with Mandarin Chinese and Portuguese. He lives with his wife and two children in Salem, VA