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Meet Your Neighbor: Jim Nelson
By Callie Thomas
People are always saying that communication is key. That bit of advice rings true whether it is between co-workers, customers, friends or family. Without it, life tends to operate like a malfunctioning traffic light, creating anxiety, uncertainty and chaos, not to mention outright danger. Good communication skills lead to understanding, education and the ability to move mountains. Enter 89148 resident Jim Nelson, whose passion it is to not only promote skillful communication, but to provide kids in our community with the necessary programs and tools that give them the best education possible.
Although Jim, his wife Bonnie and their two children have been Las Vegas residents for over eight years, the family originally hailed from Fargo, North Dakota. “Yah, you betcha,” the very same Fargo made famous in the Academy Award-winning movie by the Coen brothers. Nelson began his career as a social worker for adolescent boys at the State Hospital in Jamestown. After obtaining his M.S. degree, he worked as a guidance counselor for ten years within the public schools of West Fargo. At the urgings of a friend, Nelson made a career change that landed him in the insurance industry, which required a bit of communication amongst the young couple before making the big move. “We made a decision in 1984 that I would go into the insurance industry as an agent and Bonnie would stay at home with our one year old daughter and three year old son,” recalls Nelson. “Basically, that summer we went from two incomes to virtually none with two small children!”
Through hard work and determination, the change paid off. Nelson rose amongst the ranks and is currently Independent Regional Vice President for Partners Advantage Insurance Services. Jim’s focus is on recruiting agents and agencies to one of the fastest growing independent marketing organizations in the country. Nelson owes his successes to having a great deal of faith as well as good communication skills. “Both Bonnie and I grew up in strong Lutheran families and developed our faith as young children. Both of our mothers were elementary teachers for over 40 years, and perhaps it is fate, but now Bonnie and our son Justin both work at Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School. Bonnie is a guidance counselor and Justin is a Spanish and Social Studies teacher.”
Faith Lutheran is not only Nevada’s largest non-public school, it is the largest Lutheran school in the U.S. For the past four years Jim has been on the Business Advisory Council for the school. This group of prominent local business leaders helps fund the technology needs at Faith Lutheran through their membership dues and by holding awareness/networking events, including an upcoming breakfast featuring Matthew T. Crosson, President and CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce on September 21. The public is welcome, and the event will be held at the Kalb Student Center at the school. To date, the Business Advisory Council has donated over $350,000, funds that have enabled the school to build state-of-the-art science and computer labs, purchase a series of mobile classrooms–carts that hold and recharge up to 25 laptop computers–as well as install digital projectors for teachers to use in their classrooms.
Jim Nelson could not be more pleased than to support the education of children in the community and in motivating others to do the same. “Due to my family’s commitment to Faith Lutheran, I have been energized to devote time and money to the school to assist in continuing their programs,” says Nelson. “We have contributed to the Faith Lutheran Building Fund and sponsor an education scholarship each year. It goes to a Faith Lutheran senior who has decided to make education their future profession.”
