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Craig Nelson Steps in as CEO at Nelson Family of Companies

Sonoma based staffing company

Craig S. Nelson, son of Founder Gary D. Nelson, is taking over as CEO of the Nelson Family of Companies, transitioning from his role as Executive VP of Staffing Services into the role of CEO, effective January 12, 2012. Craig takes over from Catherine Candland who is joining ZeroChaos following the recent sale of Nelson’s WorkforceLogic division to them.
“For more than 40 years, I have put my heart and soul into this company. Craig has been with Nelson over ten years and has established strong relationships with staff, clients, and members of the community. I anticipate this will be a smooth transition and the company will thrive under Craig’s leadership,” stated Gary Nelson
No newcomer to leadership, prior to going to work for Nelson as General Counsel in 2001, Craig Nelson spent seven years with the Criminal Division of the California Department of Justice, and before that, three years as a litigator with the Law Offices of Bowles and Verna. He has a Masters of Law from the University of San Diego, his Juris Doctor from Hastings College of Law, and degrees in Business Administration and Economics.
“My father leads by example,” says Craig Nelson. “I will, of course, bring my own style to the role of CEO, but there are many ways in which I will follow his successful path. Being an innovator in the field of staffing and changing the way businesses utilize talent and technology to support their strategic goals is certainly something I will emulate.”
Gary Nelson built his company from a one-office, one-assistant operation to a corporation consisting of 17 locations and more than 300 employees. A recipient of many local and professional honors, he was named this year as one of 100 top influential staffing leaders by SIReview.  In 2011, Nelson won NorthBay Biz magazine’s Best Job Placement service and the Bay Area News Group’s Top Workplaces. The company’s success is indicated not only in awards received, though, but also in revenue. For the last two years running, Nelson has surpassed industry growth rates, with 31% growth in 2010 and 16% in 2011, against industry rates of 12% in 2010 and 10% in 2011.
To learn more about the company, visit www.nelsonhr.com.