Nelson Balido drives results in diverse government, politics, private industry, and non-profit arenas. As one of the leading authorities on the U.S. border for trade, travel, and security issues, he leads Balido and Associates, a strategic management consultancy, and founded the Border Commerce and Security Council in 2013. Before assuming his current role, he was the President of the Border Trade Alliance and a presidential pick to lead the private sector division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He also served on the Homeland Security Advisory Council, where he was awarded the department’s highest civilian award – the Outstanding Public Service Medal. In 2021, he was appointed as a consultant to the DHS Undersecretary of Intelligence, and in 2023, he was appointed as a special advisor in the office of the Commissioner for Customs and Border Protection. Nelson has worked closely with the U.S., Canada, and Mexico governments at every level for years by advocating for policy initiatives designed to improve cross-border affairs, trade and security relations, energy reform, and cultural understanding. Nelson is also a United States Navy Reserve officer with Special Operations Command North – U.S. Northern Command.