Wally Christopher Kelly, 62, passed away on July 11, 2019. Wally's love of football earned him a scholarship to Idaho State University in 1974, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Physical Education. He obtained a Master's of Science Degree in Physical and Special Education from the University of Utah. A Spring Break vacation to Tucson, Arizona was the beginning of a lifelong career in the billboard advertising business. Wally served as a national sales manager for Whiteco MetroCom, Inc. from 1979 to 1984, which was based in Chicago, Illinois. In 1984, he and colleague Arte Moreno were recognized by local entrepreneur Bill Levin, who offered them to collaborate to develop local sales campaigns. This dynamic duo impacted the outdoor advertising business and led to the development of a media empire. They established Outdoor Systems, which became the #1 company within its industry. Their outdoor system had a presence in 96 of the top 100 US advertising markets. Wally held the position of Executive Vice President of Sales for Outdoor Systems, which employed over 1600 employees for 5 years. In 2001, the company was sold publicly and became Viacom Outdoor, through the merging of Infinity Outdoor, a national billboard company, and TDI, a national transit advertising company. The combination of the companies created the largest outdoor advertising company in North America. In 2003 Wally was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the US, Canadian, Mexican and European markets. In January 2006 Viacom was publicly traded and renamed a CBS Corporation, CBS Outdoor, with Wally holding the position as CEO. CBS Outdoor became a billion-dollar company. In 2013 CBS was publicly traded once more and renamed Outfront Media, where Wally served as Vice President and consultant for a short while. His enormous expertise in media and advertising allowed him to begin anew with Superior Digital Displays located in New York City, where he served as CEO.

Consecutively from 2014 to 2017 he acted as CEO for the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission preparing and directing financial or regulatory reports required by laws, regulations, and boards of directors. Wally became one of the nation's greatest influencers in the Outdoor Advertising Industry. He was a three-term chairman and Geopath (Traffic Audit Bureau), as well as Hall of Fame Inductee of the Outdoor Advertising Association of American (OAAA) receiving the Myles Standish Award in 2007, the highest recognition award within the industry. At the time of his death, Wally was consulting for many reputable media companies throughout the US. He developed successful restaurants within Arizona and was a pioneer in developing the entertainment district of Old Town Scottdale, Arizona. Wally's love of sports was a constant in his business career as he served as a Director on the Boards of the College Football Hall of Fame, the Fiesta Bowl, ASU. (According to a virtual tour of the Ed and Nadine Carson Student Athlete Center, “the Wally Kelly Student-Athlete Lounge is the place to relax and study”.) Wally generously supported the Idaho State University football program and the Kelly Family Fifth Year Scholarship Program. He endowed football scholarships honoring his late brother, Michael, and father, Wally, which awarded him the President's Medallion of Recognition. In honor of his late brother, Michael, he created a golf tournament, the Mike Kelly Memorial, with the sole purpose of donating their proceeds to support football programs within their local community. In 2004 Wally was awarded the honor of the Distinguished Arizonan Award. Wally was a 'LifeBird' serving the Phoenix Thunderbirds and created a special day honoring the Special Olympic Athletes during the Waste Management events. Youth sports were dear to his heart as he coached numerous young athletes in basketball, football, and baseball. Wally was preceded in death by his parents, brother and grandparents. He is survived by his son, three stepchildren, his wife Amy, two sisters and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life and funeral mass were held on Friday, July 19, 2019 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, Arizona. Donations may be made in Wally C. Kelly's honor to Special Olympics Arizona, 5601 W. Mohave Street, Suite C, Phoenix, Arizona 85043.  (Source: ASU Foundation)