Nelson Lafon

Nelson Lafon is one of two statewide deer project coordinators with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). Before taking this position in 2003, he worked for 2 years as a Forest Stewardship Biologist with VDGIF and Virginia Department of Forestry.  Nelson received BS and MS degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife Science from Virginia Tech in 1994 and 2002, respectively.  He has worked for the US Forest Service and is a Certified Wildlife Biologist with The Wildlife Society, was president of the Virginia Chapter of The Wildlife Society in 2011, and is a chair of the Chapter’s Conservation Review Committee. He is a native of Pulaski and proud owner of multi-generational family land in Giles County. Nelson lives in the Grandin Court area of Roanoke with his wife, Emily; son, Malon; and dog, Jasper.  He enjoys time with family and neighbors, house projects, biking, hiking, and hunting.