Hall of Fame 2008

Judy Doering Nelson

Class of 1963

Judith Doering Nielsen was born in 1945 in Watsonville. She, along with her four sisters was raised on a small family farm on Amesti Road. While growing up in Watsonville, she like many of her peers worked in agriculture, picking berries, apples and plums, as well as working in the canneries.

Judy attended Freedom Elementary School, Watsonville High School, and Cabrillo College and graduated from Stanislaus State University with a BA in Sociology. While attending WHS, Judy participated in the Pep Club, Commercial Club, TAP (Teens Against Polio), and Alley Catz.

Upon graduation from College she went to work in the banking industry and worked in banking for a total of 34 years. Starting out as a teller, she rose to a position of senior management. Her final 12 years in the industry were spent as an Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer for San Jose National Bank. She was responsible for and managed the lending activities for the bank including business commercial lending, leasing, SBA lending, commercial real estate and construction financing, factoring, asset based lending and consumer lending. During her years as a banker she continued her education, including graduating from the Pacific Coast School of Banking at the University of Washington and completing the Uniform Credit Analysis Program.

In addition to her career, Judy has dedicated herself to community service. She served on the Watsonville City Council from November of 1998 to April of 2006, and was mayor from June of 2003 to November of 2004. Other activities include the following: Planning Commissioner for the City of Watsonville, Member of LAFCO, Criminal Justice Committee, Mello Center Committee, Action Pajaro Valley River Task Force, Pajaro Valley Historical Association, Watsonville Rotary (Paul Harris Fellow), Watsonville Women's Club, City of San Jose Housing Trust Oversight Committee, Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center Board Member, City of San Jose Economic Development Fund, Lenders for Community Development, Agricultural History Museum Project, YWCA, Second Harvest Food Bank, Avenues to Mental Health (Alliance for Community Care), and the Skillicorn Boy Scout Bar-B-Q Fundraiser.

Recognitions include receiving the YWCA TWIN award in San Jose and the 2003 Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year award.

Judy truly believes in community service, keeping a positive attitude and having a strong work ethic. She believes there is very little we cannot achieve if we are willing to work for it. Judy is married to Stan Nielsen and has five step-children and eleven step-grandchildren. Additionally, Judy has been actively involved in the lives of her many nieces and nephews.

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