Candidate: John R. Nelson

John Nelson, an active, meaningful member of the community and father of five, is running for Volusia County School Board District 3. He moved to New Smyrna in 1998 and now resides in Port Orange. Nelson's children have attended Spruce Creek High School, New Smyrna Middle School, Chisholm Elementary, Coronado Elementary and Cypress Creek Elementary. He is currently the SCHS IB Advocates Treasurer, a position Nelson has held since 2014, and was a member of both the DAC and SAC for Coronado Elementary. Nelson supports his sons in scouting, his oldest being an Eagle Scout, and has been both a den leader and currently serves as co-leader of his son's pack.

As a Volusia County resident Nelson is a graduate of the Volusia County Citizen's Academy and served as a member of the Volusia County ECHO Board. Nelson is also a member of the Southeast Volusia Kiwanis since 1999 and is a past Board Member. Nelson has served as a Board Member for the New Smyrna Beach Chamber of Commerce.

In 1996 Nelson started an aviation software company. In 2008 he took advantage of a life long dream to teach and seized the opportunity to instruct Honors Organic Chemistry and AP Environmental Science at Deltona High School through the school year of 2009. Nelson then returned to private industry, working in aviation fuel sales and product development, and creating strategic partnerships with established point of sale software companies. Currently, Nelson is running his second aviation software company, that he founded two years ago, and practicing law as a new attorney.

Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida (1990), a Masters in Business Administration from Clemson University (1993), and a Juris Doctor from Barry University School of Law (2017). Nelson is a licensed Florida Professional Engineer and is a member of the Florida Bar.