Nelson said Strengths and Traditions will Help Ames Reach Full Potential

Chris Nelson, vice president of Nelson Electric Company, announced Tuesday, that he will run for Ames City Council's 4th ward seat.

This is the seat currently held by Victoria Szopinski. Szopinski will also run for the seat.

Nelson said Ames needs to continue to develop strong partnerships to create new opportunities for orderly growth and that there's a lot of momentum to make things happens in Ames.

See the full announcement below:

Ames native and Iowa State University alumnus, Chris Nelson, announced his candidacy to represent Ward 4 on the Ames City Council in the city election to be held November 5, 2013.

In announcing his bid for election, Nelson states, “I believe in the strength of our community. Ames has much to offer but we need to build upon the strengths and traditions of the community to reach its full potential. We need to continue to develop strong partnerships within the community to create new opportunities for orderly growth while keeping both Downtown and Campustown thriving and vibrant.”

Nelson believes that economic development will allow the community to enhance and add amenities such as growing our trails system and enhancing services and to also develop and support initiatives to maintain options in affordable housing.

“Additionally, the next phase of the ISU Research Park coupled with other businesses that have recently chosen to locate here will create the need for more single-family housing, further expanding and diversifying our tax base,” Nelson added.

Regarding his decision to run for the Ames City Council, “One thing I have heard repeatedly from community leaders that I know and respect is that while there certainly are some challenges ahead for Ames, there is a lot of momentum in the community right now to make things happen for Ames. It is exciting to be a part of that process that has lead me to run. I look forward to having the opportunity to represent Ward 4 and our entire community in a way that moves Ames forward.”

About Chris Nelson:

Chris is a sixth-generation Ames resident and is currently Vice President of Nelson Electric Company, a century-old family business. In between graduating from Iowa State and returning to Ames in 2008, Chris spent two years as a Project Manager for Bulley & Andrews, a Chicago-based general contractor and nine years with The Weitz Company, a nationwide general contractor based in Des Moines, as an Enterprise Systems Manager in the Information Technology department. While he and his family lived in Chicago and West Des Moines before returning five years ago, both he and his wife knew that Ames was where they eventually wanted to be and raise their family.

Since returning in 2008, Chris has served the Ames community in a number of leadership and volunteer roles. He has served on the Board of Mainstream Living, a non-profit organization serving people with disabilities in Central Iowa, since 2009 and begins a two-year term as Chair in October. His involvement also includes staying active as a member of the FarmHouse Fraternity Association Board and where he served as Board President in 2010. He has previously served as a Board member of the Ames Chamber of Commerce, where he also served on the executive leadership team as Treasurer. His has also volunteered as a Cub Scout leader and soccer coach.

He is married to Ames native and Iowa State alumnae, Anne Cheville Nelson. They have three young children in the Ames school system, Erik, 12, Ian, 9, and Evan, 5. Chris graduated from Ames High School in 1990. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Iowa State, where he was also a member of the Track and Field team. He also received an MBA from the University of Iowa.