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A view of the Linfield University McMinnville Campus academic quad on an early winter morning with the sun shining.

Scott Bernard Nelson '94

portrait of Scott NelsonScott Bernard Nelson '94

Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications/Chief Marketing Officer

Scott Bernard Nelson '94 is a two-time Ironman triathlon finisher, big-wall rock climber and avid fly fisherman. He was proud to return to Linfield in 2016, 22 years after his own graduation, to help students in the next generation achieve their dreams. Nelson came back to Linfield with decades of experience managing creative professionals and developing marketing plans.

As a journalist for some of the world’s largest news organizations, he covered 9/11 in Manhattan, the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and the U.S. invasion of Iraq. He also contributed to The Boston Globe's Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, which spawned the movie Spotlight.

Nelson enjoys modeling and acting, has co-written two novels and is a professional whiskey reviewer.

Professional resume

  • Education

    • B.S., Linfield University
    • MBA, University of Maryland
    • Certified financial planner designation, University of South Florida Muma College of Business
  • Experience

    • Associate vice president for strategic communications/chief marketing officer, Linfield University, 2020-present
    • Critic/spirits writer, The Whiskey Wash, 2019-present
    • Director of communications and marketing, Linfield College, 2016-2020
    • Co-founder and principal, Relium Media, 2011-present
    • Managing producer, Oregonian Media Group, 2013-2016
    • Business editor, The Oregonian, 2011-2013
    • Portland editor, The Oregonian/OregonLive.com, 2011
    • Online enterprise editor, The Oregonian/OregonLive.com, 2008-2011
    • Breaking news editor, The Oregonian/OregonLive.com, 2007-2008
    • Deputy business editor, The Oregonian/OregonLive.com, 2003-2007
    • Staff writer, The Boston Globe, 2000-2003
    • Personal finance editor, The Tampa Tribune, 1998-2000
    • Editor of online services, Kiplinger, 1996-1998
    • Research reporter, Kiplinger, 1994-1996
  • Leadership positions

    • Member, Linfield University President's Leadership Team
    • Member, Linfield University Business Advisory Council
    • Board member, Sherwood Regional Family YMCA

Selected media

Phone showing the new Linfield website

Nov. 4, 2020

A new online face for Linfield University

Scott Nelson discusses the updated university website with The Linfield Review.

Five members of the Nelson family pose at Linfield

Summer 2020 Magazine

Linfield bound

From generation to generation, Wildcat values link us.

Observer looks at solar eclipse through glasses

Feb. 27, 2019

Linfield wins CASE award for its solar eclipse event

Linfield's communications and marketing team, led by Scott Nelson, wins regional award for eclipse coverage.