Rae Ann Kelsch was first elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1990 and continues to serve currently. She has served as Chairman of the House Education committee since 1997. Kelsch also serves as the Chairman of the Education Interim Committee, the Legislative Employment Committee and the Lottery Advisory Commission. Kelsch serves on the House Transportation Committee and the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee. Kelsch received the NDAEYC Children’s Champion Award, the GNDA State Community Award, FOYND Award, Outstanding Young Woman of America, and the Children’s Caucus Voice of the Child Award. She currently serves as the Chairman of the Education Standing Committee for the National Conference of State Legislators. Kelsch is a member of the Education Commission of the States, where she serves on the Steering, Nominating and Executive Committees. She is currently Regional Manager of External Affairs for Alltel Communications. In that capacity, she manages state government affairs in regulatory compliance and legislative matters for five states that Alltel provides wireless service. Kelsch received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota.