Mr. Nelson Balido

Nelson Balido is one of the leading authorities on our U.S. borders for trade, travel, energy and security issues.  He is the principal at Balido and Associates, Inc. and founder of the Border Commerce and Security Council and the Energy Council of the Americas. Prior to assuming his current role he was the President of the Border Trade Alliance; Nelson was a presidential pick to lead the private sector division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency where he earned Secretary’s Award for Excellence and also served on the Homeland Security Advisory Council appointed by Secretary Michael Chertoff, where he was awarded the department’s highest civilian award – the Outstanding Public Service Medal.

 He has extensive experience in the public and private sectors at the local, state, and federal levels.  For years, Nelson has worked closely with the governments of U.S., Canada, and Mexico at every level by advocating on behalf of policy initiatives designed to improve border affairs, trade and security relations, and cultural understanding.  In 2014, Nelson was re-appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Industry Trade Advisory Council by United States Trade Representative and the Secretary of Commerce.

Governments, companies, and media outlets seek his council for his extensive outside-the-beltway relations and real-world international border experience.

His other career stops include respected companies as SBC Communications (at&t), where he served as the company’s director of multicultural marketing, Commissioner of the Texas Commission on the Arts, Member of the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board, and various other positions within municipal agencies and non-profit boards.  Mr. Balido holds a B.S. in International Economics and a B.A. in Spanish from Texas Tech University and a Graduate Certificate in Advanced International Affairs from the Bush School at Texas A&M University.  He is an active U.S. NAVY reserves public affairs officer, a professional speaker for U.S. Trade and Border Security conferences, the ASPEN Institute, the US Department of Commerce, and a FOX NEWS LATINO contributor.