Kelly Marston Wilson
Kelly (Marston) Wilson is a seasoned strategic partnerships and business development professional currently serving as the National Strategic Partnerships Manager at ASRC Industrial in Pensacola, Florida. She has been with the company since January 2020 and expanded into business development in late 2024 after a distinguished 20-plus-year career in human resources across industries including hospitality, government, aviation, and industrial services.
Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality from Auburn University (2001) and combines her operational expertise with a strong focus on strategic relationship-building to support organizational growth. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation as a collaborative and results-oriented professional with extensive experience working alongside senior executives, project managers, and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, develop partnerships, and support successful project execution.
Known for her analytical mindset, integrity, and ability to navigate complex and evolving environments, Kelly consistently works to create value through strong partnerships while fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace culture.
In her current role, Kelly supports 35 operating companies within the ASRC Industrial family, primarily Gulf Coast Industrial, by identifying new business opportunities and cultivating strategic partnerships that connect clients with the company’s broad range of industrial capabilities.
Her professional philosophy centers on building meaningful relationships, maintaining transparency and trust, and helping organizations and individuals achieve shared success.
Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her daughter, running, and taking advantage of life along the Gulf Coast through beach days and boating.
• Auburn University - B.S.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, resilience, and the values instilled in me by my parents growing up. They taught me the importance of integrity, hard work, and treating people with respect—principles that continue to guide both my personal and professional life. I’ve also learned that setbacks are inevitable, but they often create the greatest opportunities for growth—what I sometimes refer to as “God’s pruning season.” Rather than viewing challenges as barriers, I see them as moments that shape us and prepare us for what’s ahead. I try to teach my daughter the same mindset: the things most people avoid because they are difficult often hold the greatest rewards. Staying committed to my goals, even when the path isn’t easy, has helped me turn obstacles into stepping stones.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received has come from several important influences in my life. My dad often reminded me, “This won’t be your worst day,” which helped me understand that difficult moments are temporary and that perseverance is essential. A former boss once told me that if you can look in the mirror and honestly say you’ve done everything you possibly could, then it may be time to make a change.
Growing up also shaped how I approach people and challenges. I was raised in a household with both Baptist and Catholic traditions and attended a Catholic school. That experience exposed me early on to different perspectives and helped me understand that people often see the world through their own experiences and beliefs. It taught me empathy, encouraged me to think independently, and helped me learn to respectfully question assumptions—lessons that have stayed with me throughout my career.
In many ways, those early experiences prepared me for the work I do today, building partnerships and bringing people together across different backgrounds, perspectives, and organizations.
Those experiences have also shaped my personal philosophy:
Some of life’s most valuable lessons come from the challenges we don’t choose—but those moments often shape who we become.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay curious, be resilient, and embrace discomfort—because real growth happens outside of your comfort zone. Don’t wait until you feel completely ready—many of the best opportunities come before you feel fully prepared. Work hard, but also work smart. Stay true to who you are and support others along the way. Not everyone will like you, and that’s okay. Focus your energy on the opportunities and relationships that truly matter. Learn from challenges, keep moving forward, and trust that perseverance will open the right doors over time.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in our field right now is the workforce transition. Many experienced professionals in the skilled trades are nearing retirement, and the industry is working to attract and develop the next generation of talent. At the same time, aging infrastructure and increasing energy demand are creating significant opportunities for companies that can deliver reliable maintenance, inspection, and industrial services.
The industry is also evolving with new technologies, including data-driven maintenance and digital tools that help companies operate more efficiently and safely. Organizations that can combine strong field expertise with innovation will be best positioned for long-term success.
Another challenge is that the industry remains largely male-dominated, which can sometimes mean women need to work harder to be seen and heard. However, this also presents an opportunity for women to step into leadership roles, bring new perspectives, and help shape a more inclusive and collaborative future for the industry.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most are honesty, integrity, and transparency. I value direct communication—even when conversations are difficult—because clarity builds trust.
Relationships and trust are incredibly important to me, both personally and professionally, and I believe they are the foundation of meaningful collaboration and long-term success.
I also believe resilience and perspective are essential. Challenges are part of any career, and I try to approach them as opportunities to learn, grow, and move forward. I strive to treat people with respect, keep an open mind, and build genuine, lasting connections in both my work and personal life.