Bill Nelson

William Nelson is a native of North Carolina.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master’s degree in national security from Georgetown University in Washington D.C.

He was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1972 where he served on active duty for 20 years and retired with the rank of Commander.

While on active duty, he served on a variety of ships from destroyers and frigates to aircraft carriers. His service included combat action in Vietnam, Libya, and Beirut for which he received the Combat Action Ribbon, numerous meritorious achievement awards and expeditionary medals. He also was assigned to the Pentagon and to the staff of the Secretary of the Navy, James Webb where he worked as a strategic planner and later as an instructor at the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

In retirement, Nelson became a highly qualified licensed proprietor in the financial and securities arena. He acquired several securities licenses and worked as a professional financial planner. He was the “National District Manager of the Year” for an international financial services company in 2002 and remained in sales management for a number of years in the New England and Kentucky.

He culminated over 15 years in the securities field when in 2008 he accepted the position of Executive Director for USA Cares, a Kentucky-based non-profit whose purpose is to aid military families in need.

Nelson has been married to Beth for 34 years. He is active in a variety of community endeavors including the Boy Scouts of America. He and his son, Brad, are Eagle Scouts.

His two adult children and three grandchildren, all reside in Kentucky.