Jelani Kelley

Excellence in Diversity Award 2024

Captain Jelani Kelley is currently the Senior Manager of Regional Flight Operations for Asia Pacific (APAC) at FedEx. As a 2005 graduate of Western Michigan University, Capt. Kelley earned a degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology from the College of Aviation. While at WMU, he was an active member of the NIFA SkyBroncos Flight Team as well as the Multicultural Association of Aviation Professionals (MAAP). Capt. Kelley left WMU as both a Certified Flight Instructor and Airframe & Powerplant mechanic before entering the aviation industry as a full-time pilot. He has worked in Part 135 scheduled and charter operations, Part 91 aircraft management, and Part 121 supplemental, domestic, and flag operations flying aircraft ranging from small turboprops to large transport category jets. Captain Kelley is currently employed by FedEx. In his 12 years with the company, Capt. Kelley has been based in Cologne, Germany, Hong Kong, Memphis, and Anchorage on the B-757,B-767, and B-777 fleets. He has worked as an instructor at the FedEx training center as well as assisting in projects ranging from pilot recruitment to operational efficiency. From his office in Anchorage, Alaska, Captain Kelley leads a team of ramp tower controllers and flight operations professionals based in Guangzhou, communicates with regulatory agencies in the APAC region, addresses FedEx’s APAC flight operations challenges, as well as liaising with numerous teams within the organization to improve crews’ international performance and experience.