Meet Bill Kelly, Del Mar College's new District 3 regent

John Oliva
Corpus Christi Caller Times

William J. "Bill" Kelly was appointed the District 3 seat for Del Mar College's Board of Regents during a special meeting Friday.

Kelly, a lawyer and former Corpus Christi City Council member, will be sworn in on April 13 and take his seat during the board’s regular meeting scheduled that day. He will fill the seat for the remainder of the term, which runs through 2024.

Former regent Elva Estrada resigned in February after representing District 3 on the board for more than 14 years.

Elva Estrada held the District 3 seat for over 14 years. She resigned Jan. 16, 2021 due to health concerns.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to serve Del Mar College and the community as a regent," Kelly said. "I think it's a natural extension from my time on the city council and my time on the Calallen school board. I'm passionate about education."

Kelly represented District 1 on the City Council from 2001 to 2009, and served on the city's planning commission before that. He also was a member of the Calallen ISD School Board. 

His admiration for learning came from his parents, the first in their respective families to get a college education.

"Del Mar is a unique institution in this community to make itself available to parts of the population that might not be able to get a college education," Kelly said. "I'm excited to be part of it."

Chairwoman at-large Carol Scott said the board is looking forward to welcoming Kelly.

"His decades of public service and his recent experience as a Calallen ISD board member will serve the College and community well," Scott said.

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John Oliva covers education and community news in South Texas. Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.