For nearly 34 years, Jacksonville has benefited from the leadership and expertise
of Steve Kelley, a seasoned professional whose journey from Fort
Walton Beach to Northeast Florida reflects a powerful blend of financial acumen and
academic excellence.
Kelley began his career as a credit analyst at Barnett Bank after earning his MBA from the University of West Florida. His path eventually led him to Jacksonville University’s Davis College of Business and Technology, where he became part of the inaugural cohort of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program.
Today, Kelley serves as director of downtown real estate and development at the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA). In this role, he collaborates with investors and developers to bring impactful projects to life, including Southern Grounds, Pour Taproom, the Four Seasons Hotel and the Pearl Square project. His responsibilities include negotiating incentive packages, underwriting financial returns to the city and navigating deals through city processes and the City Council.
Kelley credits JU’s DBA program with deepening his ability to tackle complex issues. While his MBA gave him tools for immediate application, the DBA expanded his perspective and taught him to work with ambiguous data and apply advanced problem-solving techniques.
“Theoretical aspects of the DBA conditioned me to think more broadly,” Kelley said. “Now, I seek information differently, analyze it more thoroughly and apply those insights to decision-making in ways I couldn’t before.”
Drawn to JU’s working-professional focus, Kelley joined the program while between jobs. At the time, he was concentrating on a banking niche involving tax credits for housing developments for low- and moderate-income families. The program allowed him to align his career interests with academic growth and prepare for a potential teaching role in retirement.
He now also serves as an adjunct professor at Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute, teaching microeconomics for public policy and public finance. He brings his professional experience into the classroom, using real-time projects to illustrate theoretical concepts. His teaching emphasizes behavioral economics, adaptability and realistic planning — crucial skills for future public policy professionals.
Beyond his dual professional roles, Kelley is dedicated to mentoring the next generation. He views holding a doctoral degree as a personal milestone and a responsibility to lead with integrity.
“Earning the DBA was a major life goal, but it also raised expectations,” he said. “It’s about demonstrating the value of that degree through leadership and mentoring.”
From his early banking days to managing multimillion-dollar investments and inspiring students, Steve Kelley exemplifies the power of lifelong learning and the impact one individual can have on a city’s growth.
Through his work, downtown Jacksonville gains not just a skilled analyst or educator — but a visionary committed to shaping a better future.
