Kelly Farrell has worked for Arkansas State Parks since 1999, beginning her career as a seasonal interpreter at Lake Ouachita, followed by five years as a full-time interpreter at DeGray Lake. There, she coordinated overall interpretive efforts and started the park’s kayaking program. In 2004 Kelly was promoted to Assistant Chief of Interpretation for the agency. In this position, she travels statewide to recruit, train, and coach interpreters and provides consultation on publications, exhibits, and website design. A native Oklahoman, she holds degrees from Oklahoma City University in education and social psychology.

Kelly is an active member of NAI, having earned professional credentials of “Certified Heritage Interpreter” and “Certified Interpretive Trainer,” presented at regional, national, and international NAI workshops, and authored articles for the organization’s Legacy and Interpreter magazines. She currently serves as director of NAI’s Region 6 (South Central) and sits on the national board. In 2005, Kelly was invited to participate on an international team of NAI members volunteering in South Korea to provide interpretive consulting and training for Korea National Parks, universities, and municipal agencies.

A lifetime Girl Scout, Kelly spent numerous summers at camp and now continues to mentor high school age scouts. She is also a certified kayak instructor and enjoys leading beginner paddling classes and trips. She has a passion for endurance sports, in part because they allow her to stay fit and also because the long training outings provide hours of quiet time for nature watching, thinking, planning, problem-solving, and dreaming. She is a member of the Little Rock Marathon Training Team, having completed four 26.2-mile footraces, and also trains for “Raid the Rock,” an urban multi-sport adventure race. Kelly calls Little Rock home, where she lives in the downtown historic district in a c.1903 restored house with her partner and the best dog in the world.