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KELLY LYNCH


Lynch’s formal training began at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles during a film production internship with NBC/Universal in 2005. Lynch later entered the film directing track at Columbia College, Chicago and worked for Apple, Inc,  promoting and managing a specialty education store for two years.

At the same time, he began production on his short film The Passenger, which would go on to receive awards from Midwestern film festivals in 2008, including First Place from the Really Big Short Film Festival at the Indiana State Museum.

Lynch would later work with CBS, Paramount, The History Channel, and several independent production houses in creative consulting and production capacities.

Named one of the under-35 leaders in railroad preservation by TRAINS Magazine in 2005, Lynch’s passion for the railroad industry found him promoting and working for a number of railroad companies. His work combining railroad and film experience has carved out a niche as railroad transportation coordinator for motion pictures in the midwest. In 2009, his work was recognized by the Center for Railroad Art and Photography.

That same year, Lynch approached the City of Fort Wayne with a redevelopment concept for a former rail yard and riverfront property near the city’s downtown. Named for an adjoining city park, the Headwaters Junction concept proposed to combine river, rail, and trail development near downtown. Endorsed as as “big, bold, and transformational” by the Fort Wayne Legacy Task Force in 2012, the project was included in the proposed Fort Wayne River District and heralded as a “catalytic destination” by consultants SWA Group in 2014.

In 2010, Lynch was hired as adjunct instructor of cinematography for Huntington University’s growing Digital Media Arts program. Later that same year, he was hired to manage and maintain the university’s film and animation equipment and facilities and began teaching advanced cinematography, advanced directing and producing, film theory, as well as other film production courses.

Lynch was heralded as a “creative entrepreneur” by Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne and a “community connector” by Leadership Fort Wayne in 2011. He produced the popular My City music video in late 2011. In 2013, Lynch was recognized as one of Northeast Indiana’s “Forty Under 40” by the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly.

In 2016, Lynch was hired to lead and develop the video marketing strategy for Sweetwater Sound, the world’s largest online retailer of music instruments and pro audio gear. In 2018, he was also tasked with helping bring to life the vision of revitalizing Fort Wayne’s dilapidated General Electrics complex as the filmmaker for Fort Wayne Electric Works and named Executive Director for a non-profit riverfront development effort Headwaters Junction.

Through Lynchpin Creative, he has combined his love of culture, history, and the arts with placemaking and economic development. Lynch continues to write, direct, produce, and consult on a variety of projects throughout the region.

EDUCATION

  • New York Film Academy, Film Production Concentration, Los Angeles (2005)
  • Columbia College Chicago, Film Directing Track (2005-2007)

AWARDS

  • Judge’s Choice Award, Center for Railroad Art & Photography (2006)
  • After Hours, Official Selection, Santa Clarita Valley Film Festival (2010)
  • After Hours, Official Selection, New Filmmakers of Los Angeles (2009)
  • After Hours, Second place, Live Action Films, Forrester Films Showcase (2009)
  • Common Ground (S16) Official Selection, Indy Awards (2008)
  • The Passenger, Best Frontier Film, Windsong Film Festival (2008)
  • The Passenger, First Place, Really Big Short Film Festival (2008)

ACCOLADES

  • Forty Leaders Under 40, Fort Wayne Business Weekly (2013)
  • Creative Entrepreneur, Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne (2011)
  • Community Connector, Leadership Fort Wayne (2011)
  • Young Gun of Railroad Preservation, TRAINS Magazine (2006)

BOARDS & COMMITEES

  • Headwaters Junction, Executive Director (2018-present)
  • Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc, Vice President (2005-present)
  • Positive Train Control Steam Task Force, Director (2017)
  • Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association, marketing consultant (2013-present)
  • Colebrookdale Railroad, board of directors and advisors (2013-2016)
  • City of Fort Wayne Riverfront District, communications committee member (2013-2014)
  • City of Fort Wayne Railroad Overpass Improvement, committee member (2012-2013)

PRESENTATIONS

  • Successful Social Media & Digital Marketing Standards, Railroad Passenger Car Alliance (2019)
  • Strategic Storytelling, American Advertising Federation of Black Hills (2014)
  • Strategic Storytelling, American Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne (2013)
  • Storytelling & Business, Greater Fort Wayne Business Success Expo (2013)
  • Personal Storytelling, Leadership Fort Wayne (2013)
  • Rivers, Rails, & Trails, TEDxFortWayne (2012)
  • Iconic Railroad Imagery in Film, Center for Railroad Art & Photography (2009)

LINKS