James has been an editor for the Journal Sentinel in business news, and before that in local news, since the 1995 merger of the Milwaukee Journal and Milwaukee Sentinel. At the Milwaukee Sentinel, Nelson spent 10 years as a reporter covering City Hall, Milwaukee County government, and state issues, including agriculture, environment, business and Indian treaty rights. Before joining the Sentinel, he worked as a reporter at the Waukesha Freeman, Baraboo News-Republic and Stoughton Courier Hub. An Appleton native, Nelson is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science. He’s a past president of the Milwaukee Press Club, and past president of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra board of directors. Nelson also is a business journalism instructor at Marquette University.