Holly Nelson is a senior finance executive whose background included over 15 years in C-level roles and Big Four public accounting. She has over 30 years of experience ranging from start-up to large global high-transaction, capital intensive and B-2-C service companies. Her industry experience includes manufacturing, passenger airline transportation, mortgage banking, trucking, software and multi-channel retail operations.

She is a recognized expert in financial accounting who has consistently improved monthly management reporting, reduced the monthly close schedule, and ensured compliance with SEC reporting requirements. Nelson gained her early career experience at KPMG LLP and Northwest Airlines, Inc. She has worked collaboratively with operations, human resource and IT colleagues to establish Finance as a business partner that enabled operating expenses to be streamlined during periods of high growth. She is known for creating clear plans with well-defined metrics and communicating results timely to enable action. Nelson led the initial public offering filing process for JetBlue and Northwest, and constructed business models for two start-up companies, including a SAAS-based enterprise.

Nelson also brings treasury and capital markets experience as CFO for Virgin America, Silver Star Brands and ATP. She led teams that successfully negotiated transactions that raised over $100 million in capital and $1.3 billion in lease financing. She has implemented tactics to improve liquidity and is familiar with hedging strategies for aircraft fuel and foreign revenues. Her experience also includes merger and acquisition due-diligence and integration, a strong knowledge base of tax which she directly led for six years and oversight for corporate procurement, including contract review and leading teams for sizable contract negotiations.

Holly currently serves on the Board of Directors for Silver Star Brands and Stoneybrook Fairway Verandas I Association. She also serves on the Private Company Council of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Sounding Board for Solutionz Innovations. She is a qualified audit committee financial expert and has worked directly with the audit committee of various board of directors for over 15 years and presented to board of directors for eight years, as well as establishing and leading JetBlue’s public company disclosure committee. She has a strong focus on corporate governance and has led the risk assessment process and implemented whistleblower and FCPA programs. 

She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration, with a comprehensive public accounting major and Magna Cum Laude distinction, from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is an active Certified Public Accountant in Minnesota and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.