The POWER List: Douglas E. Nelson

Lathrop GPM/Lathrop GPM Consulting

When companies need assistance with procurement and contract issues in Jefferson City, they seek out Doug Nelson, a lawyer-lobbyist who previously led Missouri’s Office of Administration.

Nelson is counsel at Lathrop GPM in Jefferson City and Columbia, and he also works for its government affairs firm Lathrop GPM Consulting.

He earned his law degree in 1990 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. From there, he joined the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, rising to deputy chief of staff and chief counsel, and supervising the consumer protection division.

He went on to work for the Office of Administration and then-Gov. Jay Nixon. From 2010 to 2011, he was Nixon’s deputy chief of staff. From 2011 through the end of Nixon’s second term, he served as Commissioner of the Office of Administration.

Nelson oversaw more than 2,000 active procurement contracts, information technology issues, bond issuances and budget matters. He also led Nixon’s e-government initiative, which focused on building more efficient and effective governance through cybersecurity and data analytics, enterprise improvements, legacy system replacement and e-government services.

His clients include the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Broadcasters Association, as well as 3M, BKD and Corizon Health, a prison health care provider.