My name is Kelly Dilger. I moved to Big Lake in 2005 with my husband, who I met at Charleston Southern University, Charleston, SC in 2001 and were married in 2005. I am not originally from Minnesota. I was born in Phoenix, AZ and moved to Jesup, Georgia, which is a rural town 60 miles South of Savannah, GA and 90 miles North of Jacksonville, FL, with my parents and 2 younger siblings in 1987. After graduating from Wayne County High School in Jesup, GA, I accepted a scholarship to play NCAA Division I soccer at Charleston Southern University. In 2005 I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology. I currently work at Options, Inc. in Big Lake as the Chief Financial Officer and I coach soccer for the Big Lake High School Varsity Girls’ team.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am married to J.J. Dilger for almost 18 years and we have two daughters, Kadyn a Junior at Big Lake High School and Jacey a 4th grader at Independence Elementary. We also have a dog, Kia, that we adopted in 2018.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
I have lived in Big lake for 18 years. I have been working in Big Lake for 13 years.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I am currently employed at Options, Inc. in Big Lake. After college I knew I wanted to use my degree in Psychology and Options posted a position for an instructor that assists adults with barriers to employment in learning vocational skills at center-based or community setting. I was hired in 2007 and I really loved working for Options, Inc. However, I had also applied for UW-Oshkosh’s Industrial-Organizational Psychology Graduate Program and was accepted. So, I continued to work at Options until my graduated classes began in August of 2007. When I graduated in 2009 with a Master’s of Science degree, the country was in an Economic Recession and companies were down-sizing their workforce. Finding a job as an I-O Psychologist was not possible at that time, so I settled for a part-time retail position at Best Buy as a Customer Service Specialist. After a year of working retail, I began to miss working with the people at Options and was re-hired in October of 2010. Options, Inc. is a company that believes in “growing their own.” I started as a job coach and primarily worked on the production floor. The following year, I was hired as the Community Employment Coordinator where I was responsible for assisting with job development and coordinating job crews in the community. In 2013, I moved into a management role as the Community Employment director where I supervise the Supported Employment team. Then in 2017, Options’ Chief Financial Officer of 30 years was planning retirement and approached me with an opportunity to become Options’ next CFO. I completed twelve months of training before fulling transitioning as Options Inc.’s new CFO. This is my fifth year as the CFO at Options and every year continues to bring new challenges. I am fortunate to be working with a talented team that helps me shape the strategic plan and financial goals of Options, Inc. Being able to work and live in Big Lake really has been a blessing. I am also the assistant Big Lake High School Varsity Girls’ Soccer coach. I have been coaching at Big Lake since 2015.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
Most of my closest friends, family, and co-workers call me ‘Kel’.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
Movie – Breakthrough’, TV Show – ‘The Office’, Book- ‘The Giver’ by Lois Lowry
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I don’t think I could eat or drink one thing for the rest of my life. That actually sounds terrifying to think about, even if it was my favorite food – coffee ice cream. But, if I had to pick one thing, I guess it would be potatoes. I’ve grown to like Tater-Tot Hot dish over the past 18 years living in Minnesota.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
When my daughters aren’t busy with sporting events, my family enjoys camping, traveling, swimming and watching movies together as a family. I also enjoy running, coaching soccer, and reading.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
I would like to travel to Italy.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
If I won the lottery, I would donate some of the money to help my community build an indoor facility such as a dome for youth sports. The rest I would save for retirement.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
I am very blessed that I haven’t experienced a challenge in my Life that would be considered “life-altering”. I think everyone has a different view of what a challenge is. For me, I view a challenge as a problem that can be solved. One example would be when the pandemic forced businesses to close, including Options, Inc., and my team and I needed to find solutions to keep the business operating until we were allowed to resume services for the individuals that attend our program.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I guess if I had to change something about myself it would be to somehow acquire the tolerance or bravery to embrace Minnesota’s winters. During the winter, I stay indoors and have no interest in skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, or ice skating. I don’t even want to go outside and build a snowman with my kids. If I was able to endure the cold, I think I would enjoy doing those activities.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
I am proud to have accomplished getting a scholarship to play soccer at the college level. I have played soccer since I was 6 and made sacrifices to commit to playing soccer at the highest level. I made the state of Georgia’s Olympic Development team at 13 and I traveled to Germany, Sweden, and Wales to play internationally. I gave up my summers to participate in soccer camps and traveled 250 miles one-way on the weekends to Atlanta to play on one of the state’s elite club teams. Playing in college is a great accomplishment for me because of the years it took for me to reach that goal.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
Big Lake has grown so much since I moved here in 2005. I like all of the restaurants that Big Lake has to offer. I would list all of them when recommending restaurants to people that live outside of Big Lake.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
I like the size of the town. I grew up in a small town, although a little bigger than Big Lake, and I liked that I got to know everyone that lives there. However, unlike Jesup, Big Lake is conveniently located next to major highways and interstate if you wanted to explore the bigger cities. When I lived in Jesup, I had to drive 45 minutes to get to the interstate. I also like that my daughters get to grow up in a community that is friendly and supportive.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
If you live in Big Lake and are fortunate to be working at a job in Big Lake, then it’s easier to connect with the people in your community, which is so rewarding because you can serve the community you live in.
