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HARDWOOD | CARPET | CERAMIC TILE VINYL | MARBLE | RUGS 4989 Mercer University Drive (478) 742-3366 www.burgessflooringcenter.com Create custom rugs with your carpet. church, but we met in a bar." Rebecca elaborates, "Ryan had already moved to Maine. We hit it off and got engaged a year after our first date," adding with a laugh, "I call it God's plan." They married May 1, 1993, in Macon, honeymooning up the East Coast en route to their new life in Maine. Outside of stints in Maine and several years in Atlanta, the McKelveys have chosen to stick close to home. They reside in Forsyth and built a river home in Dames Ferry about 18 miles away, which doubled as McKelvey's office during the pandemic. The couple enjoyed their years in Atlanta, but valued the way they were raised and wanted to provide that same experience for their children. McKelvey says he's been blessed throughout his life with support from his parents, teachers and coaches during his formative years in Macon, and by corporate managers, executives and his wife during his professional ones. Rebecca speaks glowingly of her multi-talented spouse. "Boo can do anything. He ran a tie-dye business in college, selling in several states and to one department store, and while we were dating he installed my car stereo himself," she says. "At L.L. Bean he was part of the team that redesigned the way the Bean boot rubber bottom was manufactured." Clearly, the boy with the tools has spent a lifetime mastering the toolbox. McKelvey's fascination with how things work and his ability to create, repair or renovate just about anything makes him indispensable at home. Those talents, paired with his sweeping knowledge of product development, a collaborative management style and broad experience up and down the corporate ladder, make him equally valuable in a workroom and boardroom, earning him respect and admiration throughout the ranks of the corporate giant he leads. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | maconmagazine.com 91