Candidate for Member-At-Large 2024-2026

Steve Kelly

Regional Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa
BAE Systems

Member, Defense, Aerospace & Security Committee
AmCham Abu Dhabi

Citizenship: USA
Platinum Member

Candidate’s Statement

I will further the Chamber’s mission through collaboration with members to grow the membership, enhance our advocacy, and implement exciting new ways of engaging with Abu Dhabi leadership, all the while upholding the highest levels of integrity and compliance for which we are known. How?

  • Grow membership – outreach through personal contact and increased opportunities for US and Emirati businesses to join
  • Enhance advocacy – 1:1 and team-to-team engagements with stories and case studies of how improvements in trade, policies and relationships benefit everyone
  • Engagement – Emphasizing strategic trade like security, technology, human capability development via partnerships, entrepreneurship and mentoring programs.

Candidate Questionnaire

Steve-Kelly-Candidate-Questionnaire-Form-2024-2026-ElectionDownload

Candidate’s Bio

Steve Kelly is BAE Systems Regional Managing Director for the MENA Region, based in Abu Dhabi. In this position, Steve leads efforts to identify, develop and win business, playing a critical role in growing future opportunities through his in-depth knowledge of the defense, industrial and geopolitical landscapes. Fostering high-level, international stakeholder engagement and shaping the company’s market strategy in the region are key features of his assignment.

After 17 years working with BAE Systems Inc on various senior roles based in the US, across multiple domains, including land and sea, Steve brings a wealth of knowledge drawn from the group’s Platforms and Services division. During this time, he successfully led campaigns in many international markets, including the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Steve’s depth of business experience, strategic approach and engineering skills, add value to his colleagues and to his customers alike. His knowledge of combat vehicles, munitions, land and naval weapons systems, reflect key areas of interest for BAE Systems clients across the MENA region. These qualities help accelerate the company’s ambitions to build partnerships based upon addressing their individual needs and issues.

Steve is familiar with the MENA region having been a regular visitor for many years. He is therefore fluent in BAE Systems long established history in the Gulf, with valuable customer relationships located throughout the GCC.

Steve attended North Dakota State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Defense Systems School of Management, and the Penn State Executive Management Program.