Advisory Board Profile: Howard B. Nelson, Jr.

With more than 35 years of business experience and expertise, Howard B. Nelson, Jr. knows a good investment when he sees one. That is why he’s a member of the Advisory Board of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.

A native of Montgomery, Mr. Nelson graduated from Auburn University in 1969 with a degree in business administration. He then joined Diversified Products Corporation in Opelika, where he spent five years working in the corporate accounting department. It wasn't until 1974 that he came to Birmingham to pursue a career in real estate development.

In 1984, Mr. Nelson joined Colonial Properties, a private real estate development and management company headquartered in Birmingham. From there, his career took off. He spent nine years as the company's senior vice president of finance, and in 1993, when the company went public, he was promoted to chief operating officer of the newly named Colonial Properties Trust. He would go on to become Colonial's chief financial officer, a position he held until his retirement in 2004.  

Joining the Board
Since his retirement, Mr. Nelson's work on the Advisory Board has become a cause that is especially important to him. "My father died from lung and brain cancer," he says. "So cancer has definitely had an impact on my life."

Mr. Nelson was initially recruited to join the board in 2002 by longtime friend and business associate, former board president Tom Lowder. Since joining, Mr. Nelson has become one of the board’s most active members, serving as fundraising chair for the past two annual fundraising campaigns.

Mr. Nelson says his time on the board has allowed him “to learn more about the Cancer Center and how wonderful it is for the community.” In fact, he calls it one of Alabama’s greatest assets, and he wants to spread that message throughout the city and state. As the board’s new president, he is challenging the Advisory Board to take the lead in expanding the Cancer Center's visibility in the community.

“I want to take the board to the next level,” he says. "I want to get the corporate community involved with the Cancer Center, but I also want to move our efforts beyond Birmingham to work with state officials for more funding for our research."

The Cancer Center's funding from the state is a critical issue, Mr. Nelson believes. He cites other states that have direct line items in their budgets to support their comprehensive cancer centers. "For example, North Carolina appropriates $50 million every year for one of its cancer centers," he says. "We need to help people realize what a jewel our Cancer Center—and UAB as a whole—is for the entire state."  

Other Interests
In his spare time, Mr. Nelson enjoys golf, traveling and spending time with his wife, Carolyn, and their four sons and new grandson. He remains involved with Colonial Properties as a consultant, and in 2006 he formed his own company, H. Nelson & Associates, LLC, which provides consulting services to companies developing and managing commercial real estate.

In addition to the Cancer Center, Mr. Nelson has been involved with numerous organizations throughout Birmingham, including the United Way of Central Alabama, the UAB School of Business Finance Advisory Council and the Kiwanis Club. He also is active with his alma mater; he currently serves on the Auburn University College of Business Advisory Council and was recently elected to the board of directors of the university's national alumni association.

But Mr. Nelson’s work with the Cancer Center remains a top priority. "Cancer touches so many people's lives," he says. "Whatever we can do to help is vital."