National Gypsum CEO receives national leadership award

The Committee for Economic Development has honored Charlotte-based National Gypsum’s CEO Tom Nelson with its Leadership in the Nation’s Interest award.

Nelson is the second recipient of the award, which goes to one corporate executive “who leads his or her company with integrity and purpose and champions policies for the common good,” according to a statement from the CED, a nonprofit public policy organization.

In accepting the award at the CED’s spring conference in Washington, D.C., in April, Nelson recognized National Gypsum employees, shareholders and customers.

“By the nature of our business, we run our plants around the clock so, while we are here, many of my associates are cranking out wallboard and other building materials to build the structures where people live, work, and play. They inspire me to do my best every day,” Nelson said.

Nelson is involved in a number of different organizations other than CED, including the Business Council and the Business Roundtable. He is a member of the Board of Dean’s Advisors at Harvard Business School and also sits on the boards of Belk, Carolinas HealthCare System, Yum Brands and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

Charlotte-based National Gypsum, a privately held company, manufactures building products and is the second largest producer of gypsum board in the U.S., according to the company’s website. Nelson has been the company’s CEO since 1999.

This story was originally published May 6, 2015 at 7:41 AM with the headline "National Gypsum CEO receives national leadership award."