WALLACE NELSON

2010 TKCBE Board President

Wallace Nelson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. His family moved to Southern California where he attended grade school and graduated from Whittier Union High School. In 1961 Wallace attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Subsequently he continued his education at Rio Hondo College in Southern California. In 1965 Wallace met and married the love of his life, Rozalind Richards; over the years they were blessed with three children and three grandchildren.

 

While attending college he enlisted in the California National Guard so he could complete his military. In 1968 Wallace’s guard unit was called to active duty, and he was deployed as a sergeant in the medical corps in the province of Pleiku, Vietnam. After he served his tour of duty he returned to the states and enrolled in the College of Sequoias in Visalia, California. That same year he was hired by an electrical contractor in Tulare as an estimator. There he found his love of leadership and managing people. Wallace was vice president of the company from 1977 through 1985 when he was appointed President and Chairman of the Board. He served in that capacity until his retirement in June of 2009. During his career of 40 years with this company he saw total sales revenues increase from $1 million a year, to company record of over $40 million.

 

Throughout his career Wallace has served, and continues to serve on many non-profit boards. He served as passed and current President of the Tulare-Kings-County Builders Exchange. Wallace continues to serve as President of the non-profit organization, “Wish Upon A Star.” He was an active board member with the National Electrical Contractors Association for many years. Wallace enjoyed teaching an electrical course at the College of Sequoias that is required in order for an electrician to become State of California certified.

 

Wallace continues his non-profit work along with electrical consulting, golfing, working out at the gym, rebuilding his 1930 Model A Ford, and enjoying his family.