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Walter Kelley - Mayor
“Lynn Haven is a small-town community renowned by its residents as
a great place to live and raise a family.”
Mayor Walter Kelley has devoted himself to serving the citizens of the City of Lynn Haven for 17 years and Bay County residents at large for 30 years. Former chief of security police for the United States Air Force, retired senior master sergeant, Walter Kelley began his career in public service patrolling the neighborhoods of the City of Callaway, FL. Rising through the ranks of law enforcement, Mayor Kelley is a former Police Chief of the City of Callaway and also served as a Deputy Sheriff for Bay County.
Extending beyond his roles as City of Lynn Haven Commissioner (1993–1997) and Mayor (1998–present), Mayor Kelley has been actively engaged in the community through various organizations. He has held various positions with the Bay County TPO, MOPAC of Florida, Florida Mayors Association, Northwest Florida League of Cities, Bay County League of Cities, Bay County Small Business Incubator, Bay County Salvation Army, and the Florida League of Cities Environmental Quality Committee. He is currently active in a number of local community groups, such as the Lions Club, Rotary Club International, American Legion, Shriners, Masonic Order, as well as Scottish Rites of Panama City. In his role as Mayor, Mr. Kelley enjoys meeting with the residents of Lynn Haven, partaking in City events and activities and introducing elementary school students to the importance of public service as they visit his office for their annual field trip.
Mayor Kelley attended Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City where he received his associate’s degree in criminology. He also completed numerous classes at West Florida University, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a number of military and police training programs, including the senior non-commissioned officers course at Air University, Maxwell AFB, NCO Academy at Bolding AFB, and police standards training in Florida. Mayor Kelley is a proud recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster and the Commendation Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters from the United States Air Force. In addition, Mayor Kelley was one of 42 representatives selected to write the 2025 Transportation Plan for the State of Florida.
Mayor Kelley was married to his wife Bobbie for 46 years. Together they raised three children and became proud grandparents of four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Outside of the office, Mayor Kelley enjoys spending time with his family, but especially takes pleasure in practicing baseball with his great-grandkids at the ball park.
Mayor@cityoflynnhaven.com
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