WILLIAM I. NELSON, PE
Principal Emeritus, GLHN Architects & Engineers Inc.
Trustee
William I. Nelson, PE is a principal emeritus in mechanical engineering at GLHN Architects & Engineers, Inc. Bill retired from GLHN in January 2015, after 45 years. He has been principal-in-charge of major utility development projects and physical plant upgrades at the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, University of New Mexico, Colorado College, University of Illinois, University of Chicago, Tucson Medical Center, and Raytheon. In all, Bill has worked on projects at more than 20 universities and major hospital campuses in the West and Midwest. Bill earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arizona in 1978, and has been active in higher education for more than 40 years. He is a volunteer instructor for the UA Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, where he team teaches a course in HVAC. As an instructor with the APPA Institute (Association of Higher Education Facility Officers) for over 15 years, Bill has taught courses on refrigerants and chillers, basic HVAC systems, and utility master planning. He has also written and delivered more than 20 papers and presentations on utility development planning. Twice yearly, he is the principal facilitator and organizer of symposiums held by GLHN for facilities and central plant personnel at universities in the Southwestern United States. He also enjoys teaching sixth-graders’ Junior Achievement classes. Bill served in the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Naples, Italy for more than two years (1967-1969). He has worked closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs since 1975, when he served as project manager on the clinical addition to the VA Medical Center in Tucson. Bill has audited plumbing, fire-protection and HVAC systems in more than 600 VA buildings across the nation, identifying opportunities for energy conservation. Bill continues to teach, advise GLHN on business-development activities, and spend quality time with Dianne, his lovely wife of 44 years.