After nearly 45 years in the forestry industry, with the last 26 years as the Blenheim nursery manager, Gary Nelson is retiring. Gary started his career after graduating from Colorado State with a degree in forest biology with the USFS at the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station.
He earned his master’s in forestry genetics and then began his career with International Paper as a seed orchard manager in Texas. Moving to Blenheim, S.C., in 1993, Gary started as a production coordinator and became manager in 1996. He remained the manager when ArborGen acquired the nursery in 2007. ArborGen continued to benefit from his experience and knowledge of growing hardwood and pine until his retirement.
Gary will stay busy in this new phase of his life, helping his wife Karen raise their five-year-old granddaughter and be available to help his three adult children with home improvement projects. In between all that, he plans to travel by bicycle and camper van to new places and adventures.
We thank Gary for his dedication to ArborGen, the nursery, and his customers over the years. Best of everything, Gary! We will miss you!
Gary Nelson