Dr. Nelson's came to the University of Delaware as an assistant professor in 1990 and began serving as HRIM department chair in fall 2007. His research in tourism development has led to numerous academic publications and paper presentations. Among his recent projects are two edited books, Developing a Successful Infrastructure for Convention & Event Tourism and Current Issues in Convention and Exhibition Facility Development which were published by The Haworth Press www.HaworthPress.com . Dr. Nelson also serves as the editor of the Journal of Convention & Event Tourism. His secondary stream of research into the policies of food service organizations regarding the use of genetically altered foods has attracted attention from both industry and academia.

Dr. Nelson is a pioneer in the area of distance learning via television, video, and the World Wide Web. His "Purchasing for the Hospitality Industry" course was the first on campus to combine streamed video with PowerPoint notes on the World Wide Web. In the late 1990's Professor Nelson hosted the educational television programs Culinary Survival Skills and Food Facts that were broadcast internationally on Knowledge TV. The Food Facts series was also released on video and has been used in hospitality programs throughout the country including Cornell, Texas Tech, Purdue and the Culinary Institute of America. More recently, Dr. Nelson developed the concept, assembled the production team, and secured sponsorship for an online wine training program for restaurant service staff. UD Wine Online features renowned wine educator Marnie Old and was produced by Food Network veteran Susannah Eaton-Ryan.

Professor Nelson came to Delaware from Drexel University where he was one of the charter faculty members who developed an HRIM program there in the late 1980's. Since coming to Delaware Professor Nelson has taught courses in Purchasing for the Hospitality Industry, Quantity Food Service Management, Hospitality Contract Management, Human Resources Management, Beverage Management and Issues in Tourism Management.

Dr. Nelson is listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the Lodging Industry. His Ph.D. is from the University of Delaware's School Urban Affairs and Public Policy where he focused on tourism and convention centers as catalysts for local economic development. He is a graduate of Cornell's School of Hotel Administration and has an MBA from Drexel University's LeBow College of Business.