Who is Chad Nelley

Chad Nelley is a seasoned business leader with over 30 years of extensive management and leadership experience. Since 1999, he has played a pivotal role in addressing cyber-risk on both tactical and strategic fronts. Based in San Diego, CA, Chad balances his professional pursuits with family life, sharing his passions and spending time with his 3 favorite people, his two daughters and life partner, Janet. He holds an undergraduate degree from CSU Fresno, and graduate credentials and degrees from UCLA Anderson and the University of San Diego.  Beyond the boardroom, he is a compassionate father, active community volunteer, health and wellness enthusiast, and passionate world traveller in search of new adventures and experiences.

His Story

Chad Nelley began his professional journey in 1987 in Field Sales, Marketing, and Operations within the replacement vehicle sector, commonly referred to as the rental car industry. In 1996, he transitioned into the technology field as a Field Marketing Manager for SGI, covering Southern California and specializing in high-performance computing, software, and hardware sales and marketing.

Chad's foray into operations and cybersecurity was marked by a significant role in the Y2K project for a leading medical network provider in San Diego, sparking his enduring interest in cybersecurity. By 1999, he had pivoted from corporate roles to lead a startup collaborating with tech giants such as Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, and Macromedia as General Manager and VP of Operations & IT. His leadership was instrumental in developing sophisticated systems, including an e-commerce platform, ERP, CRM, HCM, and a network infrastructure that supported 100+ colocated virtual servers on a mix of 25 blade, 1U and 2U rack mount spec servers, ensuring secure content delivery and reliable network operations 24/7.

In 2006, Chad joined ESET LLC, where he quickly proved his mettle in a strategic project management role with global implications. He advanced through the ranks, earning three promotions over six years to eventually become EVP, Operations for ESET North America, where he managed a broad array of functions including Business Systems, Infrastructure IT, Marketing, Research, Facility and Real Estate Operations, Public Affairs, Technical Support, Contact Center Operations, Manufacturing, and Fulfillment. His extensive responsibilities across these diverse areas solidified his reputation as a seasoned leader in business operations and cybersecurity.
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In 2023, Chad founded Nelley Consulting, LLC, a boutique consultancy specializing in Operations, Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity, and Product GTM. Leveraging his vast experience, Chad now guides organizations through their most complex challenges and transformations, providing tailored services and solutions.