Michael Nelson grew up on Chesapeake Bay in Crisfield MD, a small fishing village, where his first job was pulling blue crab pots with his grandfather on the Pocomoke Sound.
Mike was an executive for more than 30 years with both the Maryland and California Natural Resources Departments.He spent much of his early career directing Maryland’s land and water conservation program. During his career there, assignments also included: Management of a statewide commercial and recreational boating grant and loan program, as well as responsibility for Somers Cove Marina, a self-sufficient, 500-slip harbor on the lower Bay.
He also served as Executive Officer of the San Diego River Conservancy, where he managed a state agency created to restore a 52-mile urban stream valley through California’s second most populous metropolitan area.
Before retiring, Mike served locally as Executive Director of the Elings Park Foundation, which, for decades, has operated a 230-acre urban park. His responsibilities included user fees, revenue generating enterprises, donations and grants.
As a volunteer Program Officer for the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, Mike works with staff members to achieve the organization’s priorities, particularly those involving intergovernmental relations, infrastructure development and grant funding. He also was appointed to the Harbor Commission by the Santa Barbara City Council.