After graduation from the Naval Academy, Nelson was commissioned as an Ensign. His first duty assignment was Michigan State University where he received an MS degree in systems engineering. Reporting to the nuclear submarine USS Alexander Hamilton (SSBN 617), he served as Main Propulsion Assistant and Diving Officer.

Leaving active duty, Nelson attended law school at William & Mary and worked summers at NASA’s Langley Research Center with responsibility for patent applications on advanced airframe designs. He continued in the Naval Reserves, was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, and retired as a Captain. He is currently Senior Patent Counsel for Eastman Kodak Company and a Kodak Distinguished Inventor with over 25 granted US patents.

Captain Blish is the author of Ishmael’s Son, published by The Glencannon Press. His second novel, The Taking of the King, was published by Penguin Books, and a screenplay adaptation of the novel won the 2013 Best Screenplay award at the New Hope Film festival.