Associates of Wooster – Nelson Phelps, Staff Engineer

Five years into his career at Wooster, Nelson Phelps says it still feels like his first day was last week. As a Staff Engineer in Wooster’s Design Unit, Nelson works with site engineers to help move projects through permitting, then develops designs that build off their work.

A Harrison City native and Penn-Trafford graduate, Nelson studied civil engineering at West Virginia University. His interest in the field started early. His dad was a construction foreman, so Nelson grew up hearing about projects and being around his tools and work equipment. He also remembers noticing that on a project, the engineer was the person everyone listened to.

Before joining Wooster, Nelson worked for an environmental consulting firm on land development projects for the oil and gas industry, including well pads and pipelines. Moving to Wooster brought a transition into PennDOT permitting and projects involving retail, residential and other types of development.

Today, some of his favorite projects are those closest to home. Pecora Farms stands out because it’s right next to where Nelson grew up — an area he still drives through every day.

For Nelson, being able to see a project implemented in a familiar community and “operate in a way that it’s intended” is one of the best parts of the job.

How long have you been at Wooster?

Five years. It feels like my first day was last week.

What exactly do you do here?

I’m part of the Design Unit. We work with the site guys. We take what they do and get permits for their project through, and then we’ll do our own design that kind of builds off their design.

You kind of get your hand in a lot of different things.

Favorite Wooster project?

Any project I work on that is in the community where I grew up is pretty exciting. Being able to have a hand in how it develops and what shapes everything that’s going on there.



Pecora Farms is one that stands out. It’s actually right next to where I grew up. I drive by there every day.

Who has been a source of inspiration for you?

The Wooster team in general. They help you stay ambitious and motivate you to develop in your career. They want you to be successful professionally.

As a team, we’re able to motivate each other.

Favorite Wooster event?

I’ve enjoyed doing the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup for the past two years. We started in Crafton, so being able to help out that community and give back to the area where Wooster started feels good.

What do you do outside of work?

Hiking. I go to the Laurel Highlands and different parks around the area. The Montour Trail is one of my favorites.

I just like walking in the woods.

Favorite motto?

Around the time Oppenheimer came out, I think it was Mike who said, “We’re not splitting the atom.”

That stuck with me. It reminds you not to make things too complicated. We’re looking for straightforward solutions.

Whether he’s helping move a project through permitting, watching a development take shape close to home, or getting a few miles in on the trail, Nelson’s straightforward approach fits right in at Wooster.

Get in touch with Nelson: nphelps@dewooster.com