Kelly Dobbins

With more than 25 years of experience in the drug testing industry, Kelly Dobbins and her team from Mid-South Drug Testing have successfully served the communities of Tennessee, Northeastern Arkansas, North Mississippi, and the boot heel of Missouri. Their services include individual, employment, federal, court-ordered, and school drug and breath alcohol testing; DNA testing; background checks; and employee and management drug-free education.

With B.A. and M.A. degrees in Criminal Justice, Kelly is considered an expert witness in Shelby County and other courts in TN and MS. Kelly has previously served as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Victory University (formerly known as Crichton College) and is a certified DATIA master trainer. Her subjects of expertise include Criminology, Forensics, and Drug and Alcohol Methodologies. Kelly is a past president of the former Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) where she was a member of its Board of Directors since 2018. Some of her awards and recognition include but are not limited to: 2014 MBJ Super Women in Business, 2014 Finalist Executive of the Year MBJ Business Awards, 2010 Ruby R Wharton Outstanding Woman Award for Business, 2008 Memphis Woman magazine 50 Women Who Make a Difference, 2005 - present Judge for International Blues Challenge.

Kelly's Statement of Purpose

As an active member of DATIA for more than two decades and Certified Professional Collector Trainer (CPCT), education has always been my passion and as I started my company in 2004, I became very aware that there were no trainers in my area. Early on, I became known as the person who trained other collectors (also my competitors). As my collection/TPA company grew, education remained one of my focal points. During my tenure with DATIA, I compiled two training manuals and taught many classes. When the opportunity came to merge DATIA with NDASA, I think most of us wondered if this would work, or even if it could work. When we signed the merger papers in May 2023, my heart broke. It was the end of a great industry association that began in 1995. What I soon realized was that this was the best thing that could happen to both DATIA and NDASA. I have embraced opportunities with NDASA and am a member of the mentorship committee, the training and accreditation committee, as well as a member of the Board. I am excited to join my colleagues on the Board for Advocacy Day in D.C. in March. My company is also sponsoring regional training in Memphis, March 11-12
I would like to run again as a Board member because I feel that I have more to give and more to learn. I enjoy serving and giving back as really well as mentoring and training.