Mr. Kelly: Building Community
From ribbon cuttings to concerts, Thom Kelly builds community connections through his roles as the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and Live Nation’s Experience Manager.
Thom Kelly wears many hats. By day, he serves as the executive director of North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, and after hours you can find him at Live Oak Bank Pavilion or Greenfield Lake Amphitheater as Live Nation’s experience manager.
As for his daytime role, the Leland resident took the helm at the chamber last fall and has jumped headfirst into growing a lineup of activities and initiatives since. Think recurring events such as the Veterans Day Breakfast, an annual event to honor local veterans; the Bands, Brews & BBQ Contest, featuring a barbeque cookoff, live music and local craft beer; and Power Connections, a twice monthly lunchtime networking event for chamber members at Brunswick Beer and Cider.
“Power Connections is for everyone from business owners to community outreach coordinators to sales managers,” Kelly says. “People really connect with each other. We’ve generated over three million dollars out of those meetings alone.”
The Power Connections meetings are so highly anticipated that presenter sign-ups are booked through the remainder of 2026. With the growing demand Kelly just launched an evening edition called Power Connections After Five, which is held the first Wednesday of each month from 5 to 6:30 pm at Brunswick Beer & Cider. This was created for those who could not make the luncheon version and offers more of a social hour feel for members to network and connect.
To further show appreciation for veterans, Kelly created a veteran-owned business initiative offering a discounted rate to join the chamber, along with social and website highlights.
The overall goal driving the Kelly’s work at the chamber is to foster a strong sense of community throughout North Brunswick, both inside and outside the chamber.
“We are working to get connected with people and partner with local organizations to get businesses in front of people who aren’t chamber members too,” Kelly says.
While he says he never would have guessed he would end up in the executive director position, Kelly says: “I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to continue to work in our community and network with small businesses and government agencies. It’s been such a blessing.”
And his work is just getting started.
Prior to his current position, Kelly spent more than 20 years working in retail management, with almost a decade as a district manager and regional community leader for Gap Inc. before the pandemic threw a wrench in his path.
“I loved my time there for the community involvement and giving back aspects,” he says. “I was overseeing 125 locations and each store’s charity involvement. That was my niche — the community piece.”
After his position was eliminated due to the pandemic, Kelly found himself a free agent seeking out his next big career move.
Amid his professional pivot, the New York native reconnected with his high school sweetheart — they just celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary in 2026 — and had a quick stint in the nonprofit world working as a job coach for individuals with intellectual disabilities. He then worked as a case manager for those who were unhoused or suffering from addiction. Post-pandemic, Kelly and his wife made their way to Wilmington, where they started their life coaching business, For the Love of Self.
Once he was back in the Port City, Kelly picked up a seasonal security gig for Live Nation and quickly worked his way up in the business. As Live Nation experience manager, he gathers employees for things like the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Boys & Girls Clubs fundraising efforts and more.
“Getting people to rally behind a cause or organization to deliver really lights me up,” he says.
Beyond charitable walks, Kelly has spearheaded tabling, shoutouts, dunk tanks, donation drives and more at the pair of venues he oversees to garner support for various charities including the Boys & Girls Clubs, The Healing Place, Harrelson Center, Good Shepherd Center, Plastic Ocean Project, The Big Paw Project and Alzheimer’s Association, just to name a few.
With another community-oriented goal always in his sights for Live Nation, Kelly is currently working on a project to expand community outreach efforts to a lineup of venues throughout the state and ultimately the country.
Beyond all of this, Kelly sits on several boards of directors: Town of Leland Tourism Development Authority, TRIC Entertainment LLC/ Fortitude Events, Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern North Carolina and the Brunswick County Advisory Board. He also serves on the executive leadership team for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Other titles he proudly wears are stepfather, step-grandfather and dog dad, thanks to his two grown stepchildren, Elijah and Jules, along with a grandbaby named Charlotte, and two pups named Luna and Cider.
As for what’s ahead for North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, Kelly says, “I have so many visions, dreams and aspirations. There are tons of opportunities with the growth we are seeing in Brunswick County. For me, it’s about making new connections while making sure the people who are already involved feel supported.”
And the local community can be sure he’ll be listening closely to their visions and aspirations too.
GET INVOLVED
North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce
497 Olde Waterford Way, Belville
(910) 383-0553
northbrunswickchamber@gmail.com
northbrunswickchamber.com
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