Zweig Group Media: Ozzie Nelson, Chairman and CEO, NELSON

Jun 15, 2017

In this episode, Randy Wilburn speaks with Ozzie Nelson, chairman and CEO of NELSON, a global integrated services firm focused on design, architecture, and strategic consulting. Ozzie started working for his dad at NELSON after college, and took over the company in 2003. Over the course of four years, Ozzie grew the company from $12 million to $53 million with 13 M&A transactions; Ozzie estimates that he spends about half of his time on M&As. From 2015 to 2016, Ozzie grew the firm from $40 million to $80 million, thanks in part to some great M&A advice from Mark Zweig. Ozzie just completed a merger with NELSON, Cope Linder Architects, and KA Architecture, which will elevate NELSON to a true full-service architecture and design firm. One of the first projects slated to be completed under the combined company is the W and Element Hotel in Center City, Philadelphia.

One of the strategies Ozzie uses to grow NELSON is the Blue Ocean Strategy. The creators of the strategy observed that today’s overcrowded industries are competing head-on, creating a bloody red ocean of rivals fighting over a shrinking profit pool. Lasting success comes from creating blue oceans of untapped new market spaces ripe for growth. Ozzie has perfected this over the past 14+ years. Hear how he did it!

Additional information: Contact: Ozzie Nelson onelson@nelsononline.com For more information on The Zweig Letter podcast contact Randy Wilburn: rwilburn@zweiggroup.com twitter: @RandyWilburn Sponsor: Subscribe to The Zweig Letter for free! Click here for a free digital subscription to Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine!

About Zweig Group

Zweig Group, three times on the Inc. 500/5000 list, is the industry leader and premiere authority in AEC firm management and marketing, the go-to source for data and research, and the leading provider of customized learning and training. Zweig Group exists to help AEC firms succeed in a complicated and challenging marketplace through services that include: Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, Valuation, Executive Search, Board of Director Services, Ownership Transition, Marketing & Branding, and Business Development Training. The firm has offices in Dallas and Fayetteville, Arkansas.