Generations of Land Stewardship

About Us

Nelson & Company is a family-owned company backed by 150 years of agri-business, and our roots are entwined with the history of Oviedo, Florida. Transforming thousands of acres of family land into master-planned and mixed-use developments, we cultivated the future of our ancestral home.

We continue to be stewards of responsible land development and use our commercial real estate experience to plan, build, and manage high-quality properties that serve the needs of Oviedo’s residents and visitors. Unlike other land developers, we live and work in the region. Oviedo has been our home for 6 generations and our mission is to continue that legacy with sustainable and sensible growth.

Our History

Nelson & Company, Inc., was established in 1886 as Nelson Brothers, a citrus packing plant in Oviedo, Florida by founders, Steen and Gus Nelson. At the beginning of the 20th century, Benjamin F. Wheeler, Sr., an agriculture visionary and Citrus Hall of Fame Inductee, became a partner and the company took the name Nelson & Company. He subsequently purchased the company from the Nelson brothers and, in 1923, incorporated it as Nelson & Company, Inc., keeping the name because it was already well established in northern markets.

At the time, Nelson & Company operated as an agri-business delivering high-quality celery and citrus to Northeast, Midwest, and Canadian markets. Their produce shipped under several crate labels: White Rose, Ben Franklin, and Moonbeam, as well as Maple Leaf (shipped to Canada). These artistic and colorful labels were a hallmark of Nelson & Company’s signature produce and came to be known as the first postcards of the South.

In the late 1960s, Nelson & Company diversified into commercial real estate and onboarded Arthur Evans, grandson of BF Wheeler, as treasurer. He would work his way up to eventually succeed his uncle as President. With the help and support of his three brothers, John, David & Charles, the beginning of a new concept for Oviedo was envisioned.

During the 1980s, Central Florida was plagued with 3 catastrophic freezes impacting hundreds of thousands of acres of crops, including the Wheeler/Evans land. Using his family resource as leverage, Arthur and his family partnered with local government to establish a comprehensive and sustainable plan for the future of the historic downtown core. Additionally, redevelopment of multiple properties occurred.

Transforming their agricultural properties into high-quality residential and commercial development, Arthur and his family maintained the generational legacy of Nelson & Company. This vision included what is known today as Kingsbridge East and West, Reformed Theological Seminary, and the mixed-use development, Oviedo on the Park. Over the past 2 decades, the Evans brothers have worked tirelessly with public entities on the Downtown Oviedo Redevelopment Plan including Solary Park (completed) as well as the Water Tower District, and re-routing infrastructure to accommodate a walkable and mixed-use Downtown.

In 2022, Arthur acquired the entirety of Nelson & Company from his brothers, continuing operations solely in commercial real estate development and management with his wife, Beverly. In the division of the family land among the four brothers, the downtown real estate was split between Arthur and his brother, David. Though this ended the Evans’ agri-business era, their commitment to the flourishing of Oviedo, in partnership with their family, will continue.

A Man of Vision

Arthur Evans

President

Arthur Evans is the President of Nelson & Company. He is a 6th generation Floridian and a lifelong resident of Oviedo, Florida, working with and working on the same land his family owned when the company began. He has an impressive career in agriculture and finance, backed by an extensive and prestigious education.

Arthur is a pillar of the Oviedo community, admired for his commitment to the region’s development and fair and equitable approach to the properties he manages. His ancestral significance in the establishment of Oviedo contributes to his passion for historical preservation, as well as the long-term sustainability of his home town.

Arthur graduated from Emory University in 1969 with a degree in Finance and Accounting. He received his MBA from Rollins in 1984. He was selected to participate in the Wedgeworth Leadership Institute at the University of Florida 1999-2001.

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Lifetime of Real Estate Excellence

Beverly Evans

Community Relations

Beverly manages Community Relations for Nelson & Company and is the wife of Arthur. She built a distinguished career in real estate, partnering with two nationally renowned firms spanning 32 years.

During her career, she was recognized as a prominent figure in the real estate industry, earning multiple production and performance awards, including Realtor of the Year in 2010. Beverly is equally as committed to the community of Oviedo, as well as the conservation of Florida’s natural and cultural heritage.

She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Business Administration.

Beverly served at the appointment of Governor Jeb Bush from 1999-2003 on the Florida Forever Advisory Board.

Currently she serves at the state level, on the Florida Debate Initiative Board, and locally on the Seminole Forever Land Acquisition Program. Arthur and Beverly have 3 children and eight grandchildren.

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