Bryan Nelson was born and raised in Apopka.  After receiving his degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Florida, Bryan came back to work in the family business at Nelson’s Florida Roses.  After selling his interest in the nursery, he and his wife Debbie started their own business, Nelson Insurance Services on Park Avenue in Apopka and raised their family here. 
 

Bryan served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 until 2014. He represented District 31 which included Tavares, Eustis, Mt. Dora, Apopka, Astor and Umatilla.  While in the Legislature, Bryan served as Chairman of the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee for four years. He also served on the Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, the Health Quality Subcommittee, the Regulatory Affairs Committee and the Select Committee on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
 

In 2014, Bryan was elected to the Orange County Commission representing District 2 which included Apopka, Ocoee, Eatonville and Zellwood.   Bryan served until 2018 when he was elected as Mayor of Apopka.
 

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Next Step Foundation, Bryan serves on the boards of MetroPlan Orlando, Tri-County League of Cities, Florida League of Mayors, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Advisory Council.  He also served as the head of his church council at First Methodist Church of Apopka for the past three years.
 

In 2022, Mayor Nelson was re-elected to a second term as Mayor.  The Mayor looks forward to continuing his service to the Apopka community and is very proud to be a part of it.  During his time in office, the Mayor’s focus will include: establishing a fiscally conservative budget, protecting our small-town feel, attracting local, higher paying jobs and revitalizing our community with more dining, retail and entertainment options.

During his tenure as Mayor, Bryan Nelson has delivered historic results for Apopka. He has reduced crime and increased safety by hiring more police and firefighters, while also lowering property tax rates to give relief to families. Mayor Nelson eliminated red-light cameras, restoring fairness and privacy on city roads, and set a record for budget management by increasing reserves to $42 million—a 313% increase—while simultaneously cutting the city’s general fund debt by over $13 million.

He launched Apopka’s first-ever Economic Development Department to attract high paying jobs, and he has boosted downtown development with the Apopka Restaurant Incentive Area, which has brought Propagate, Hall’s on 5th, 3 Odd Guys and the Ale House. Under his leadership, Apopka has experienced unprecedented economic growth and opportunity, all while keeping a fiscally conservative approach and protecting the small-town feel that residents cherish.