Who Is: Johny Nelson?

Who Is: Johny Nelson? 

Labor Market Analyst – Hudson Valley Region, New York State Department of Labor

Ever wonder who puts together all of the Labor Market numbers that so many private individuals, companies, organizations and government agencies are fond of quoting several times a year?  This individual is behind the scenes, an unsung hero of the numbers, the facts that we have come to rely on when making important decisions.  In the case of the Hudson Valley Region (encompassing a huge area of rural, suburban and metropolitan areas), it is Johny Nelson.

Johny Nelson grew up in the tight-knit community of Nyack, NY where he attended public schools. Mr. Nelson holds degrees in Economics, and French Literature.  Early on, he had an affinity for the world of mathematics and finance. Johny says, “numbers make sense, the other stuff not so much.”  He started his professional career as a Labor Service Representative for the New York State Labor Department, working in the Capital District Regional office.  Promoted to an Economist position with the Labor Department in Brooklyn, he spent 5 years honing his analytical skills, then left to pursue a career in the private sector as a Compensation Analyst, with the American International Group on Wall Street.  When he returned to the Labor Department, it was as a Senior Economist with the Occupational Safety and Health unit.  He is now our Regional Labor Market Analyst in Westchester, where he manages the Hudson Valley Region’s Research and Statistics office.

He is often described by his peers as a team player, willing to help others, going above and beyond to get the job done.  He also enjoys the reputation of being the “best dressed” person in all of the Labor Department (custom-made suits and designer Hermes ties to match and Bruno Magli Claudio Oxford shoes).  His past time is dabbling in the stock market, real estate and playing soccer.  Johny enjoys traveling around the world with his family and his favorite vacation place is in the Bahamas, where once a year, he and his son Tyler enjoy a week of father and son bonding.  He advises students to take chances, try new and challenging courses, work hard and be the best at what you are doing at any given moment.

By Marguerite Busetti
Marguerite Busetti Associate Director of Career and Professional Development, Dobbs Ferry Campus