Everett Kelley
National President
American Federation of Government Employees
Everett Kelley is the National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the largest union representing federal and D.C. government employees. He assumed the presidency in February 2020. Everett Kelley has been a member of AFGE since 1981. He worked at the Anniston Army Depot, which he recently retired from after 30 years. Prior to his election as National Vice President, he served as President of Local 1945 from 2002 to 2011. As President of Local 1945, he was responsible for five bargaining units with over 4,500 bargaining unit employees. Under his leadership, the union membership in his Local went from 1,200 in 2002 to well over 2,600 in 2010. As District 5 National Vice President, he was focused on taking the lead in protecting and advancing AFGE member interests. Under his administration the District 5 membership grew from 38,000 to over 51,000 in seven years. A native of Goodwater, Alabama, Kelley moved his family to Sylacauga, Alabama, where he graduated from Sylacauga High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and served our country for 3 years. After his military career, Kelley focused on education. He completed an AA at Central Alabama Community College, he then matriculated to Selma University and earned a Bachelor of Theology and Master of Theology at Rushing Springs School of Theology. Upon graduation, Everett honored his learning experience by serving as professor at Birmingham Estonian Bible college and Rushing Spring School of Theology. Everett continued his education and obtained a Doctorate degree in 2016. Kelley is a board member of Habitat for Humanity Alabama local chapter and served as board member of the Economic Development Council of Calhoun County Alabama, East Alabama Planning Commission, Association of United States Army. He served as the senior pastor of St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Lincoln, Alabama for 31 and a half years before retiring in February 2019 and being appointed Pastor Emeritus.
