Title: Director of Public Affairs
Company: Idaho Farm Bureau Federation
Location: Kuna, Idaho, United States
Dr. Willard G. Nelson, DVM, Director of Public Affairs at Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Doctors for dedication, achievements, and leadership in animal care.
Drawing upon more than four decades of industry experience, Dr. Nelson is a renowned animal care expert who most recently served as the director of public affairs at the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation from 1995 to 2004. Prior to this appointment, he was the director of the Idaho Department of Agriculture from 1990 to 1995, administrator and state veterinarian at the Idaho Division of Animal Industries from 1981 to 1990, and assistant chief and chief of the Idaho Bureau of Animal Health between 1978 and 1981. The former assistant to the director at the Idaho Department of Agriculture from 1966 to 1978, he commenced his career as a veterinarian in a private practice in 1963.
Dr. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science in pre-med from Montana State University and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University. He is a licensed veterinarian in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Subsequent to earning his degrees, he served as captain in the U.S. Army Vet Corps for two years and the veterinarian-in-charge of the health of wellbeing of the Army’s Ceremonial Horses for an additional year. Later on, he served as lieutenant colonel, colonel and brigadier general with the Idaho Army National Guard.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the veterinary industry, Dr. Nelson received an Outstanding Service Award from Washington University in 2001, as well as a Legion of Merit from the Idaho National Guard. In addition, he was named Idaho Veterinarian of the Year by the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association in 1989. The proud father of two children and three grandchildren, he enjoys gardening and fishing in his spare time.
