An Austin, Texas native, and graduate of Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, CDR Kelsey's last tour of duty was at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, DC, where she directed the human intelligence and technical collection programs, critical to the Global War on Terrorism.

Other tours included U.S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, FL; the Air Command and Staff College, Montgomery, AL; USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74), Norfolk, VA; and the Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC. Overseas tours included Kamiseya, Japan and Rota, Spain. She also served at the United Nations headquarters Situation Centre, where she supported the Dept. of Peacekeeping Operations. While at ACSC, she earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Auburn University Montgomery.

After 21 years of service in Naval Intelligence, she retired to the Austin area and enjoys quilting, volunteering, and working on her ranch in Llano.