Jan Kelso has been a steady presence at IADA since 1989. Over her 36-year career, she’s held multiple roles; from the health insurance department to her longtime position as CVR Specialist where she manages the front desk, answers calls, and ensures dealers’ paperwork flows smoothly through the CVR program.

“Dealers send us all their paperwork directly, and we check signatures and numbers, organize, scan, and audit it before sending it to the Secretary of State,” Jan explains.

Her work helps save both dealers and the state valuable time, and she’s always ready to tackle tricky situations like duplicate titles or repossessions.

Jan has witnessed enormous changes in the industry, from pink message slips and landlines to today’s digital pace, and she appreciates being “in the middle of everything” at IADA. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, music, and Notre Dame football. Her late husband, Tom, worked in the auto industry before joining IDOT, and their son, Nick, now builds race car engines on the national drag racing circuit. Today, she shares her life with her partner, Scott, enjoying daily dinners, weekend outings, and road trips to explore new places.

Reflecting on her career, Jan has no plans to slow down. Whether greeting visitors with a smile, streamlining paperwork, or cheering Nick on at the racetrack, her dedication and energy remain a cornerstone of IADA.