President-Designate · Florida Secretary of Commerce
Following a national search that drew 107 qualified applicants, the Pensacola State College Presidential Search Committee recommended J. Alex Kelly as finalist for College president. On September 21, 2026, the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint J. Alex Kelly as the seventh president of Pensacola State College. Kelly serves as Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce and brings leadership experience across education, workforce development and economic development.
Alex Kelly currently leads FloridaCommerce as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce. Prior to his appointment, Kelly held the Deputy Chief of Staff role in the Governor’s Office since April 2021.
Kelly has an extensive background and expertise in education and economic development having served as the Vice President for the Foundation of Excellence in Education and the Chief of Staff to then-Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran in 2019.
In total, Kelly held roles in the Florida House of Representatives on the three occasions and in the Florida Senate, including Staff Director for the Redistricting Committee in the Florida House of Representatives and Chief Analyst for the House’s Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning. He served as the Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, and Legislative Affairs Director at the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.
Kelly earned both a bachelor’s degree in political science from York College of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida.
Highlights from J. Alex Kelly’s visit to PSC campuses and programs.
J. Alex Kelly’s visit to Pensacola State College.
The Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Sept. 21 to appoint J. Alex Kelly as the College’s seventh president, selecting Florida’s Secretary of Commerce to lead PSC into its next chapter.
Pensacola State College is pleased to share that the Presidential Search Committee has named J. Alex Kelly, Florida’s Secretary of Commerce, as the finalist for PSC’s next president.
Perspectives on J. Alex Kelly from leaders in education, business, and our community.
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