Don Nelms was born January 29, 1946, in Paris, Texas. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in math and history from East Texas State University. After working for General Motors for three years he and his family (Millie and two sons David and Dennis) moved to Fayetteville AR. Emulating the ways of his mentors, Dick & Vic Scholfield, Don dedicated himself to the automotive business. Don has served on the NW Arkansas Regional Airport Commission, served as a Legislative Liaison to Gov. Tucker and Gov. Beebe, as co-chair to Gov. Beebe's transition team, on the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission, five years as Chairman of Arkansas Audubon, and currently serves on the board of Arkansas TNC, the Arkansas Forestry Commission, Buffalo River Foundation, and co-owner with his son Dennis of Adventure Subaru in Fayetteville. After 32 years as an Automotive Dealer, Don sold the Nelms Auto Park to Penske Auto Group in 2001.

Don took up photography as his next quest. He has taken over 750,000 photos in the last five years. There are approximately 200 images printed on canvas, stretched, framed and displayed ready for sale at the Nelms Gallery located four miles west of Jasper on Hwy 74.

"Photography is a way for me to express myself, but most of all it is a way for me to share my desire to preserve our natural world."

Don Nelms