Leadership Team

James L. Nelson, P.E.

James Nelson

President/Owner

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Mr. Nelson has been in the construction business in one form or another for over fifty years. He is a businessman and entrepreneur as well as an engineer. He has organized and has ownership interest in several businesses. He has done considerable design and build work for many clients in many areas of the country. Mr. Nelson brings to the table the perspective of a businessman that has to make the entire project work and does not get hung up on superfluous details. He is a construction expert that brings his skills into the design and planning stages of a project. He has considerable cost control experience and has the ability to bring a project in on time and in budget.

  • B.S. Civil Engineering
  • Engineering Registration: Architectural Engineering
  • Iowa Registration No. 6355
  • Nebraska Registration No. E-9453
  • South Dakota Registration No. 6896
  • Minnesota Registration No. 41162
  • North Dakota No. PE 8269
  • Georgia No. PE 037857
  • Idaho Registration No. 16573

Charles Nelson

Charles Nelson

Vice President/Owner

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Charles Nelson is the co-owner of Nelson Industrial Construction & Engineering. He has a BS in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College. Charles has over 20 years of engineering and construction experience in manufacturing, food processing, cold storage, ethanol and wind energy. Charlie’s vast experience in engineering and construction helps clients design and build efficient and functional buildings for their current and future needs.

  • BS in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College

TJ Trudeau

Project Manager

Having worked his way up the experience and management ladder starting as a carpenter to becoming a valuable Project Manager at Nelson Industrial Construction & Engineering, T.J. has consistently shown leadership in managing complex projects, subcontractor schedules and worksite labor to achieve the high standards set by Nelson. His knowledge of all aspects of construction make him a valuable member of the Nelson management team.


Mike Wolf

Project Manager

Mike Wolf came to Nelson Industrial Construction Engineering with a depth of construction knowledge few can match. His experience includes assembly foremen, industrial machine operator, manufacturing plant maintenance supervisor, electrician and, for 30 years, a red meat processing Plant Engineer.

Mike has the knowledge and experience to anticipate problems and correct them before they become an issue. He brings hands-on experience to the design process that cannot be taught in school.


John Keilman

Project Manager - Wind Division

Having received his Civil Engineering degree from Iowa State University, John gained invaluable experience while working on the world’s largest Fresh Meat Harvest Floor that was engineered and built for Tyson Food by Nelson Industrial Construction & Engineering. He immediately followed up as Project Manager for the Sioux Preme Pack Cooler and Loadout Addition and was very involved in the Darigold Engine Room and Refrigeration Upgrades in Boise, ID.

Currently John is the Project Manager for the Nelson Wind Division. To date he has managed 4 large wind turbine farms from Corpus Christie, TX to Chatham, ON (Canada) having built foundations for 360 wind turbines. In total Nelson’s Wind Division has produced over 3,000 wind turbine foundations nationwide and in Canada.


Jon Hamm

Project Architect

Jon received his degree in Architecture from Iowa State University with graduate study in Structural Engineering in 1984. Jon’s experience and ability to apply his creativity to each project as well as organize and complete all types of construction documents makes him a valuable asset to Nelson’s Management Team. His leadership couples his professionalism with his natural enthusiasm to achieve the excellence expected from Nelson’s many clients.


Lon Rochester

Communications Director

Having worked several years in the development, management and operations aspects of commercial medical and industrial construction, Lon brings real-world know-how to the Nelson Industrial Team. His ability to recognize, create and develop business opportunities coupled with his written and verbal business communications skills have made him a valuable asset to our Leadership Group.


Doug Patrick

Safety Director

Having been with Nelson since 2010, Doug has taken on the role of Safety Director. An authorized OSHA Instructor, he has a designation in both Construction and General Industry. Doug has also achieved ‘Train The Trainer’ status in Standards for Construction OSHA 500, Standards for General Industry OSHA 501 and as a Specialist in Safety and Health (SSH).

“Our mission is to promote safety and health by providing training, resource services and education to prevent and reduce both the personal and economic loss associated with injuries, accidents and health hazards.” SAFETY FIRST.