Frank Kelty
Encyclopedia
Frank Victor Kelty is a former politician from Alaska
. He is arguably still one of the most influential persons within both the business and the governmental circles of Dutch Harbor/Unalaska, which is not only the largest municipality of the Aleutian Islands, but also the largest commercial fishing
port
of the United States.
Born Outside
on November 10, 1949, Kelty moved to Alaska in 1971, shortly before the early heyday of the Dutch Harbor fishing boom, working for a small company called East Point Seafood. By 1978, Kelty had risen to the position of superintendent of that company’s local plant
, and oversaw the expansion of its capacity during the early 1980s. As Kelty’s prominence in the community grew, friends encouraged him to run for office. Kelty was elected to the first of three terms on the Unalaska city council
in 1981. In 1990, Kelty was elected mayor
of Unalaska, and was elected to five consecutive terms, serving in that office longer than anyone else in city history.
During this time (as the mayor's position in the small town was part-time) Kelty continued to be employed in the local crabbing industry
. In 1987, Kelty accepted a position at a rival firm, Alyeska Seafoods, as that larger company's plant manager. As his influence in the community grew, there were calls for Kelty, a life-long Democrat
, to seek state office. However, he resisted all such requests.
In 2000, Kelty accepted a full-time position with the City of Unalaska as Resource Analyst. In this position, Kelty had responsibility to not only oversee the city's management of vital natural resources
, but also to be a liaison with the many local seafood companies with a presence in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska. However, as being an employee of the city would create a conflict of interest with his elected position, Kelty was required to resign as mayor. He did so, receiving accolades from politicians across the state for his service. Though no longer the mayor de jure
of the community, Kelty’s commentary is regularly sought by state and national media
when writing stories related to Dutch Harbor/Unalaska., and the city council sometimes sends him out of town to attend governmental and regulatory events, especially on matters dealing with the town's primary economic activity, fishing.
Due to his position of great experience in both the seafood industry and as a local bush
politician, Kelty's advice is regularly sought by others. He has accepted multiple invitations to testify in Washington, D.C.
, before committees of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, as well as state panels investigating the Alaskan seafood industry. Though he no longer holds elected office, he nonetheless retains influence. He is active as a member of the Board of Directors of the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference, Chairman of the Marine Conservation Alliance, North Pacific Research Foundation AP, Bering Sea Research Foundation and the Chairman of Aleutians West Coastal Resource Service Area and elected position as well as serving on many local Unalaska boards., He has been also appointed to State of Alaska advisory panels by several governors of Alaska.
Kelty lives in Unalaska with Nancy, his wife since 1983. They have one child, Joanne, and three granddaughters.
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. He is arguably still one of the most influential persons within both the business and the governmental circles of Dutch Harbor/Unalaska, which is not only the largest municipality of the Aleutian Islands, but also the largest commercial fishing
Fishing industry
The fishing industry includes any industry or activity concerned with taking, culturing, processing, preserving, storing, transporting, marketing or selling fish or fish products....
port
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
of the United States.
Born Outside
Outside (Alaska)
In Alaska, Outside or the Outside refers to any non-Alaska location. Though commonly used by Alaskans to refer to other U.S. states, it may also refer to international locations distant from Alaska, including Canada, Great Britain and Russia...
on November 10, 1949, Kelty moved to Alaska in 1971, shortly before the early heyday of the Dutch Harbor fishing boom, working for a small company called East Point Seafood. By 1978, Kelty had risen to the position of superintendent of that company’s local plant
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
, and oversaw the expansion of its capacity during the early 1980s. As Kelty’s prominence in the community grew, friends encouraged him to run for office. Kelty was elected to the first of three terms on the Unalaska city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
in 1981. In 1990, Kelty was elected mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Unalaska, and was elected to five consecutive terms, serving in that office longer than anyone else in city history.
During this time (as the mayor's position in the small town was part-time) Kelty continued to be employed in the local crabbing industry
Alaskan king crab fishing
Alaskan king crab fishing is carried out during the winter months in the waters off the coast of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. The commercial harvest is performed during a very short season, and the catch is shipped worldwide...
. In 1987, Kelty accepted a position at a rival firm, Alyeska Seafoods, as that larger company's plant manager. As his influence in the community grew, there were calls for Kelty, a life-long Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, to seek state office. However, he resisted all such requests.
In 2000, Kelty accepted a full-time position with the City of Unalaska as Resource Analyst. In this position, Kelty had responsibility to not only oversee the city's management of vital natural resources
Natural Resources
Natural Resources is a soul album released by Motown girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in 1970 on the Gordy label. The album is significant for the Vietnam War ballad "I Should Be Proud" and the slow jam, "Love Guess Who"...
, but also to be a liaison with the many local seafood companies with a presence in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska. However, as being an employee of the city would create a conflict of interest with his elected position, Kelty was required to resign as mayor. He did so, receiving accolades from politicians across the state for his service. Though no longer the mayor de jure
De jure
De jure is an expression that means "concerning law", as contrasted with de facto, which means "concerning fact".De jure = 'Legally', De facto = 'In fact'....
of the community, Kelty’s commentary is regularly sought by state and national media
News media (United States)
Mass media are the means through which information is transmitted to a large audience. This includes newspapers, television, radio, and more recently the Internet. Those who provide news and information, and the outlets for which they work, are known as the news media.Some high-quality news media...
when writing stories related to Dutch Harbor/Unalaska., and the city council sometimes sends him out of town to attend governmental and regulatory events, especially on matters dealing with the town's primary economic activity, fishing.
Due to his position of great experience in both the seafood industry and as a local bush
Bush Alaska
The Bush is a term Alaskans use to describe portions of their state that are not connected to the North America road network. A majority of Alaska's native populations live in the Bush, where they make their living in similar fashion to their ancestors....
politician, Kelty's advice is regularly sought by others. He has accepted multiple invitations to testify in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, before committees of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, as well as state panels investigating the Alaskan seafood industry. Though he no longer holds elected office, he nonetheless retains influence. He is active as a member of the Board of Directors of the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference, Chairman of the Marine Conservation Alliance, North Pacific Research Foundation AP, Bering Sea Research Foundation and the Chairman of Aleutians West Coastal Resource Service Area and elected position as well as serving on many local Unalaska boards., He has been also appointed to State of Alaska advisory panels by several governors of Alaska.
Personal
In the past, Kelty was active in the local softball and basketball leagues, as the star pitcher/first baseman for the Unalaska City Slickers and powerfoward for the Aleutian Bottom Fish. Today, the local ballpark bears his name.Kelty lives in Unalaska with Nancy, his wife since 1983. They have one child, Joanne, and three granddaughters.