Kelly D. Johnston serves as an advisor to the Washington Insight Group, which provides counsel and advocacy on international and trade-related issues, helping clients navigate the complex intersection of business, diplomacy, and public policy. Previously, Kelly spent 23 years in the food industry, including nearly two decades as Vice President of Government Affairs at Campbell Soup Company (now Campbell’s Company). His blog, Against The Grain (kellyjohnston.substack.com), provides unique analyses and insights into public policy, politics, and American history.
Kelly was the 28th Secretary of the US Senate, the institution’s chief administrative, legislative, and financial office. It culminated a 12-year career in both the US House and Senate, as a press secretary or chief of staff, and as Executive Director of the Senate Republican Policy Committee. He also worked on more than 35 US Senate and House campaigns in 25 states as a regional political director for national Republican campaign committees.
Kelly currently serves in several nonprofit capacities, including as the co-chair of the Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communication at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV. In addition to hosting community events and awarding those who promote civil discourse, the Institute is training a new generation of civil political communicators. Kelly frequently guest-teaches at Shepherd and George Washington Universities on the history of the US Senate and government affairs.
Kelly also serves on the Board of Regents for The Fund for American Studies, the nation’s largest Washington, DC collegiate summer intern program. He and his wife live in western Loudoun County, Virginia, and are the parents of two sons and a grandson.
