Kelly loves wine and rodeo. She began her Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo career in 2010 by joining the Wine Garden Committee. Now, she volunteers for the Wine Competition and Winery Relations Committees. When she was the Vice Chairman for the Wine Competition Committee, she realized learning about wine would be beneficial for her role. And that is where her thirst for wine education began and continues.

In 2018, she took her first wine course: Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 2. In 2021, she began to work on her WSET Level 3 and passed the written test at the highest level, passing with Distinction.

This passion and curiosity for wine led her to take several more courses. She now has certifications as a Spanish Wine Scholar, a Specialist in Texas Wine – Levels 1 and 2, and is currently an Italian Wine Scholar candidate.

Last year, at the HLSR Champion Wine Garden, she hosted the first ever Wine and Girl Scout Cookie Pairings Seminar. It was so successful they invited her back again this year and will present her updated seminar on March 15, 2025.

Kelly’s enthusiasm for wine and volunteering extends beyond the rodeo to Women of Wine Charities (WOW Charities), a 501(c)3 organization whose events and programs benefit the Houston Area Women’s Center.

Kelly graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a degree in Communications and works in sales for an oil and gas service company where they offer geophysical seismic data to understand subsurface geology to locate hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Among many hobbies, like Pilates, she also enjoys volunteering and cooking with her husband as well as spending time with her four children and grandson.

This is her first time as a moderator for the Ladies of the Vine Tasting, Panel & Luncheon. She is excited and honored to be here.