Walter (Wally) L. Nelson is Vice-President of Global Helium and Rare Gases at Air Products. He is responsible for the growth and profitability of the company’s global helium and rare gases businesses. Nelson also serves as Vice-President of Air Products Helium Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.

Nelson joined Air Products in 1990 as a regional project manager in the Industrial Gas Division in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1994, he transferred to corporate headquarters in Allentown, where he progressed through a variety of engineering and operations positions. In 1999, Nelson relocated to London, England, as a business development manager for the air separation business. After three years overseas, he returned to Allentown and joined the helium business in a variety of operations and commercial positions. During this time, Nelson testified on multiple occasions before the US Congress on behalf of Air Products regarding helium-related issues.

Nelson holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering Degree from the University of Minnesota and served as an engineering officer in the XVIII Airborne Corps of the United States Army from 1986-1990.