About / Our Team

The people behind a billion in projects.

Nelson is led by a small team with deep operating experience across development, construction, asset management, and finance. The people below have shaped this firm and the buildings it puts on the ground.

Founder & Owner

Mike Nelson

Owner

Mike Nelson has spent his career bringing clients, bankers, investors, and municipalities together to create projects that leave a positive mark on the community. His track record has led the firm to complete more than $1 billion in projects and $70 million in incentive financing.

Mike began his career as a project manager at Ryan Companies in Minneapolis, overseeing work for Best Buy, Cub Foods, and Target. He joined Welsh Companies in 1995, then founded Nelson Development & Construction Services in 1999. Since then he has overseen the creation of some of the area’s most distinctive commercial, residential, and historic buildings.

He is an industry expert in tax credits, economic incentives, bridge financing, TIF, and enterprise zone tax credits. He is drawn to challenging projects and partners with people who share his vision and energy.

President

David Siegel

President

David joined Nelson in 2016 and now leads the firm as President. He came up through the Asset Management department, where he focused on financial modeling and capital stacks across Nelson’s multifamily, senior housing, and hotel portfolios. Over his career he has financed and sold more than $1B in real estate. David holds an MBA in Real Estate and Finance from Baruch College.

Development

Directors of Development

Brian Schall

Director of Development, Behavioral Health

Brian has led the behavioral health division since 2022, also supporting senior living and multifamily projects. Previously at Berkshire Hathaway Energy and PRO Management Consulting. Iowa Tippie College of Business, Finance Certificate of Entrepreneurship.

Alexander Grgurich

Chief Operating Officer & Director of Development

Alexander leads multifamily, mixed-use, and hospitality development. Since joining in 2015, he has identified opportunities and shepherded design and engineering teams from predevelopment through groundbreaking. A Drake graduate and former Norwalk city councilperson.

Wade Williams

Director of Senior Living

Wade leads Nelson’s senior living division, overseeing operations across the portfolio from lease-up through stabilization. University of Iowa, Business Economics and Entrepreneurship.

Austin Bebout

Director of Property Management

Austin oversees property management operations across Nelson’s portfolio.

Michael Wuestenberg

Director of Investor Relations

Michael leads investor relations across Nelson’s development projects, connecting equity partners with new opportunities.

Mel Laws

Director of Asset Management

Mel leads asset management across Nelson’s portfolio, bringing more than 23 years in behavioral health programs, nonprofit leadership, and organizational turnarounds. She most recently served as Executive Director of Thrive Now Recovery, opening a new inpatient facility and building its operations and clinical workflows from the ground up. Previously Regional Director at Behavioral Health Group across Iowa, Arizona, and Idaho. Iowa State University, B.S. Family and Child Services.

Finance & Coordination

Supporting our work

Corbin Rinard

Development Accountant

With Nelson since 2018, Corbin brings nearly two decades of experience including a long tenure as senior financial analyst at Marsh & McLennan. Works with lenders, investors, and property managers to keep projects moving.

Trae Shubat

Development Analyst

Trae joined in 2022 after a career in commercial banking focused on real estate. Handles financial analysis, proforma creation, and market research for existing assets and potential developments.

Construction

Directors of Construction

Jeff Osborne

Director of Construction Operations

Jeff leads Nelson’s Construction Operations with over three decades of experience managing commercial, industrial, institutional, civil, and residential projects. With hundreds of millions of dollars of completed work on his resume, Jeff pairs deep technical expertise in engineering and construction with rigorous financial management to deliver projects that stand out for quality, innovation, and integrity. He holds degrees in Accounting, Electrical Engineering, and Construction Management.

Jesse Ross

Director of Field Operations

Jesse has spent 25 years in the construction industry and joined Nelson in 2018. He has managed or participated in the construction of 13 projects with the firm. In his current role he is responsible for the field teams, finding fulfillment in providing support and accountability to the talented crews Nelson has assembled. Jesse lives in Urbandale with his wife and two children.

Field & Operations

Construction team

Jim Krokey

Construction Senior Project Manager

Jim oversees commercial construction projects from estimating through owner handoff, managing procurement, subcontractors, and budget. Twelve years of industry experience, including extensive ethanol facility and senior living work across the Midwest. University of Dayton, B.S. Mechanical Engineering.

Johan Van Den Heever

Construction Project Manager

Johan brings more than 25 years of construction leadership across the United States and South Africa, delivering new builds, remodels, and refresh programs with budgets from $5 million to $100 million. He previously led retail construction operations for one of the world’s largest retailers, covering capital strategy, feasibility, GC selection, and contract negotiation from preconstruction through handover. A certified PMP and PMI Agile Practitioner, he has built project management teams and established quality control and safety programs grounded in OSHA best practices.

William Boettcher

Assistant Project Manager

William joined Nelson in 2026 after nearly five years as a project manager at Centurion Stone of Iowa, running masonry and construction projects from preconstruction through closeout while doubling as field superintendent. He also brings a decade of residential remodeling and a stint as a wilderness ranger in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Iowa State University, B.S. Biology. OSHA 30 certified.

Tiffany Fortune

Construction Operations Coordinator

Tiffany provides administrative, financial, and operational support across the construction team, managing operational documents, bidding efforts, and the warranty process. Iowa State University and DMACC. QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisor.

Jamie Leon

Controller

Jamie oversees financial operations for Nelson’s construction work.