Pitt County native Mark Nelson, a community college graduate, was recently named Vice President of Administration at Beaufort County Community College.

In that post, Nelson, 51, serves as BCCC’s chief financial officer. He oversees the business operations of the college including its $24.9 million budget and monthly payroll of $970,595. He also is in charge of BCCC’s human relations and personnel, buildings and operations and campus police, among other activities.

Nelson joined the BCCC staff in February, succeeding Phillip Price who in December accepted a position with a Central Carolina Community College in Sanford.

Nelson’s appointment was announced by BCCC President Barbara Tansey.

“BCCC is pleased to have someone of Mark Nelson’s experience and ability to serve as Vice President of Administration,” said Dr. Tansey. “He brings a wealth of experience in budgeting and organizational skills to the post as a result of his impressive career with the N.C. National Guard.”

Nelson grew up on the family farm near Pactolus and is a graduate of North Pitt High School. He earned an associate’s degree in industrial management technology from Pitt Community College in 1987, a bachelor’s degree in business management from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., in 1994 and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Penn., in 2008.

His other education includes a diploma from the Combined Arms and Staff Services College and a diploma from the Command and General Staff College, both in Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Six Sigma Certification from N.C. State University in Raleigh; coursework in Defense Support to Civil Authorities Operations, U.S. Northern Command and fiscal law coursework from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School.

Nelson began his career as Quality Inspector for a local industry and worked in various positions in industry before joining the N.C. National Guard, first as a part-time soldier in the 213th Military Police Company and, later, as a full-time employee of the guard.

During his 32-year career with the N.C. National Guard, Nelson held various positions, most recently serving as State Training Officer, Director of Military Support and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Training.

His experience includes overseeing a $68 million budget for training and operations of the N.C. National Guard, supervising training programs for over 10,000 soldiers to ensure that each was qualified to perform his or her duties and serving as the principal advisor to the Guard’s Adjutant General in emergency response, security and the readiness of each Guard unit in the state, among numerous other duties.

“It is good to be home again in Beaufort County,” said Nelson, who spent the past seven years in Raleigh with the Guard. “I am getting acquainted with a different budget system and learning the many different functions in Administrative Services, all of which are important in supporting BCCC›s efforts to provide a quality education experience for the citizens of Beaufort County and the surrounding communities.»

Nelson and his wife, Lisa, a family physician, have three children and two grandchildren.

He is a member of Woodard›s Pond Church of Christ, the N.C. National Guard Association, National Guard Association of the United States and American Veterans.

In his spare time, Nelson enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time on the river.