The Official C. Burton Nelson Website
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1) Early Years/Education
-Born June 29, 1926 to John and Nannie Nelson; youngest of 7 children
-Graduated Rockford East High School- 1943
-Joined US Army-, 17th Airborne Division and 82nd Airborne Division- Parachute Scout Non-com-European Theater of Operations- Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist Wings, Gliderman Wings, Good Conduct Medal, European Theater Medal (2 battle stars), Victory Medal, German Occupation Medal- 1944-46
...more (audio interview)
-Attended Augustana College, majoring in Economics, Lettered in Football, elected to Alpha Psi Omega, National Honorary Dramatics Society- 1947-48
-Attended University of Illinois- 1948-49
-Attended Beloit College- Elected Phi Beta Kappa, National Honorary Scholastic Society, Graduated Cum Laude in Economics- 1949-51
-Married Nancy Jean Cameron- 1950; two children- Andrea Kay and John Cameron
-Attended Northern Illinois University- received a Master of Science degree in Business Administration, elected to Sigma Iota Epsilon, National Honorary Graduate Business Fraternity; College of Business Alumni of the Year 1971.
2) Business/ Professional Accomplishments
-Sundstrand Corporation- Assistant to the Executive Vice President- 1964-69
-State Of Illinois Commerce Commission- Commissioner and Chairman- 1969-80
-State of Illinois Emergency Transportation Board- Chairman- 1969-73
-State of Illinois- Governor's Council- Member- 1969-73
-Electric Power Research Institute- Director, Regulatory Relations- 1980-91 also Executive Director, Advisory Council to the Board of Directors 1987-1991
-Resources for the Gifted- Business Consultant; Authored five books for gifted children- 1982-85
-Gas Research Institute- Consultant (part-time, after retirement) 1991-97
-Public Affairs Council, Washington, D.C.- Board of Directors- 1964-69
-National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Washington, D.C.-Board of Directors-1978-80
Mid America Regulatory Commissioners- Executive Committee- 1969-80, President 1978-79
-Commissioners Emeritus- President- 1984
3) Community Service
-Winnebago County Board of Supervisors- Elected to one term-
1961-63
-Sundstrand Employees Association- President- 1956
-Rockford United Way Fund Campaign Chairman- First million-dollar campaign- 1966 -American Red Cross, Rock River Chapter- Vice Chairman, Finance Chairman, Public Information Officer, Fund Drive Chairman. Chaired numerous fund-raising, referendum, and political campaigns. -Avid collector- wants one, and only one, of everything
4) Post-retirement Activities and Interests
-Continues with his decades-long commitment of regular blood donations. Currently, a community leader at over 22 gallons (177 pints)
-Authored Civil War novel “Incident at Pittston Crossing” – first published 2003
-Active at Kepotah Sportsman’s Club (Co-Founded in 1953) –“14-Again” Group -organization of retirees
-Molds and paints lead soldiers, listens to music, dines out and plays cards with Bev Bianchi.
And... A Love of Poetry
Twinkies and Gin
There’s a time in your life
When it stops bein’ fun
And you wonder just where it will end.
You’re afraid that the good times
Are over and done
And there’s no one that you can call “friend.”
The rich coffee of love
Has turned cold in your mug
And the foaming beer all has gone flat.
Oh, the Twinkies won’t do it
And neither will gin.
So what the hell’s left after that?
Now the two-step of life
Is a one-step for you
And you miss her like hell – what’s her name?
Was it Tulsa or Dallas?
She’s waiting for you.
Where she’ll hold you and love you again.
The warm singing of love
Has gone dumb in your heart
And there’s no way that you can fix that.
Oh, the Twinkies won’t do it
And neither will gin.
So what the hell’s left after that?
You’re a singer of songs
And a teller of tales
And they’ve all heard your story before.
But you pick out a tune
And a tear blurs your voice
But nobody pays heed anymore.
Now the echoes of laughter
Die down in your soul
And you wonder just where it’s all at.
Oh, the Twinkies won’t do it
And neither will gin.
So what the hell’s left after that?
-- C. Burton Nelson
August, 1980
Career Photo Highlights
After graduation, Bud found a job overseas with the federal government.
Bud's career depended heavily on his excellent communication skills.