Western’s College of Business and Economics to Host Columbia Bank’s Mark Nelson Nov. 18

Contact: Jacquelyn Styrna, coordinator, Western Washington University College of Business and Economics’ Center for Excellence in Management Education, at Jacquelyn.Styrna@wwu.edu or (360) 650-3896

BELLINGHAM – Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics (CBE) will host Mark Nelson as part of its Strategic Management Executive Strategy Speaker Series from 3-4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 in Communications Facilty 110 on the WWU campus.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Nelson joined Columbia Bank in 2002 as executive vice president and senior credit officer. In 2008, he was promoted to chief operating officer. As EVP and COO, he directs the bank's commercial, consumer lending, and branch banking functions. He also directs the Private Banking, Cash Management, Marketing, Information Services, and International departments. Prior to joining Columbia Bank, Nelson was senior vice president and chief lending officer at Whidbey Island Bank. His 35 years of experience includes work at Evergreen Bank, Bank of America, and Puget Sound National Bank.

Nelson graduated from WWU in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and in 1981 with an MBA. He is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School and earned a Certified Risk Professional designation from the Bank Administration Institute. Nelson serves on the Western Washington University MBA advisory board.  

The WWU College of Business and Economics Strategic Management Executive Strategy Speaker Series program brings senior business leaders to campus to interact with students and share their perspectives on strategic management, leadership, and professional development.  The Speaker Series is presented by the CBE’s Center for Excellence in Management Education.

For more information about these events and others, please contact Jacquelyn Styrna at (360) 650-3896.