Leadership Spotlight: Nick Nelson

For this edition of the Springfield Chamber’s Leadership Spotlight Series, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Nick Nelson of Keller Williams Realty, whose nine years of service have helped guide the organization through periods of growth, challenge, and community transformation. Since joining the Board in 2017, Nelson has brought a steady, informed perspective shaped by his experience in real estate and his long-standing commitment to civic engagement.

The Chamber extends its sincere gratitude for Nelson’s leadership and dedication to the Springfield community as he departs from the Board. Over the past decade, his involvement has spanned pivotal moments, including economic development efforts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Holiday Farm Fire. In the reflections that follow, Nelson shares why he chose to serve, the changes he has witnessed in Springfield over the past ten years, and why he believes service and leadership remain essential to the community’s continued progress.

Starting early to get plugged in
I was on my first Chamber Board when I was 23 years old in Alaska. I learned a lot about how a Chamber of Commerce helps its community – not only with business, but through culture-building as well. I knew by getting involved, I would have the chance to give back and get plugged into what’s happening. My decade with the Springfield Chamber has been a great experience getting to serve with other local leaders and the staff who care about all the members and the community.

Nick Nelson’s generosity, optimism, and extroverted personality make him a highlight of any Chamber gathering.

Seeing positive changes over the past 10 years
For years, I feel that Springfield was looked down on as “less than”– but over the years, and especially with the progress in Downtown and Mohawk – people want to live and do business in Springfield. The community accepts everyone and keeps making strides to improve quality of life. From my perspective as a realtor, we now see young people wanting to buy in Springfield. That’s been a huge change. When I first started in real estate, everyone wanted to live in Eugene, especially younger people.

The lighthouse
During COVID and the Holiday Farm Fire, the Chamber was the community bulletin board. During our Board meetings, the Chamber was bringing the “boots on the ground” people in to give us updates, which we then got to communicate out to our spheres. These were difficult and scary times, but I saw the Chamber as the lighthouse that helped us all get to the docks safely.

Nelson served on the committee responsible for the major rebranding of the Springfield Chamber.

Value in service
Being on the Board gave me a break from the world of sales, while meeting with leaders and hearing about their successes and challenges was insightful and educational. It set me up to be in a position where I could share with my clients the real information of what is happening in our community.

Always ready to get involved, Nelson volunteered to be a mentor in the Chamber’s new Mentor Connect program (left), and attended numerous Roundtables throughout his service (right).

A message for future leaders
The few can make the most difference. Many people have excuses for why they can’t get involved in something like this. Rather than seeing service as something that takes away energy, see it as something that gives you insight, knowledge, networking, friends, and the ability make an impact.

About the Springfield Chamber’s Leadership Spotlight Series
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to feature the leaders who help shape a strong economy and a prosperous community. The Leadership Spotlight Series highlights individuals whose engagement with the Chamber – whether through Board service, committees, programs, or community partnerships – advances our mission to support, represent, and connect local businesses. Each profile shares unique professional insights, community impact, and a personal vision for Springfield’s future, celebrating the many pathways through which leadership grows in our region.

To learn more about the Springfield Chamber’s current Board of Directors, click here.