Terri Nathan Welden
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Terri Nathan Welden | ||
| Date of birth | 12 May | ||
| Place of birth | Edinburgh, Scotland | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Occupation | Businessman, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist | ||
| Years active | 2010 – present | ||
| Title | Founder & Managing Director — Welden Contract Service (WCS) | ||
| Spouses | Gail Welden (Died, 2016) | ||
| Education | Whitefish High School, Montana San Jose university California | ||
| Website | Official website | ||
Terri Nathan Welden (born May 12, [year missing]) is an American businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder and managing director of Welden Contract Service (WCS), a diversified company engaged in contract services, construction, machine rental, lumbering, and investment ventures.
Early life and Education
Welden was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to a Scottish father and an American mother. His father, originally from Edinburgh, served in the military before retiring and later becoming a pastor in Whitefish, Montana. His mother, Doris Welden, was a high school teacher at Whitefish High School, Montana. Welden is the only child of his parents.
At age 12 he relocated to the United States with his family and was raised in Montana. He later moved to California and studied business administration at San José State University, where he met his future wife, Gail.
Career
After graduating, Welden worked with regional contractors in California and subsequently founded Welden Contract Service (WCS). The company began as a regional contracting operation and expanded into several business units:
At the age of 12, he relocated with his family from Scotland to the United States, settling in Montana. He later moved to California for higher education, where he attended San José State University.
- Lumbering and timber harvesting
- Construction and infrastructure contracting
- Heavy machinery rental and leasing
- Project-based investment and financing
During the 2000s and 2010s, WCS broadened its operations to multiple states, with public descriptions emphasizing workforce development, safety standards and operational efficiency. Welden has participated in industry forums on sustainable forestry and ethical contracting practices.
Philanthropy
Outside of his business career, Terri Nathan Welden has been actively involved in a range of philanthropic initiatives, particularly in education, veterans' welfare, and community development. His contributions reflect a long-standing commitment to improving opportunities for underprivileged groups and strengthening local communities.
In Montana, Welden established scholarship programs to support underprivileged students pursuing higher education, with a particular emphasis on first-generation college applicants from rural areas. These scholarships have been recognized by regional education boards for improving access to academic resources in underserved districts.
As the son of a veteran, Welden has maintained strong ties with military communities. He has contributed to veterans’ welfare programs across the United States, including sponsorship of health care initiatives, post-service career training, and housing support. He has also funded local veteran centers in Montana and California to provide resources for retired service members and their families.
In California, particularly in Long Beach where he resides, Welden has supported several community infrastructure projects. These include funding small-scale housing initiatives, community parks, and youth mentorship centers. He has also partnered with local nonprofits to provide small-business development grants, aimed at helping entrepreneurs in disadvantaged neighborhoods gain access to capital and mentorship.
Welden’s philanthropic reputation is characterized by his private giving. While many of his donations have been made without publicity, local media in Long Beach and Montana have reported on his consistent sponsorship of civic programs and charitable organizations. Community leaders have described him as a “quiet benefactor” whose efforts have created lasting impact on education and social welfare in both states.
At the age of 12, he relocated with his family from Scotland to the United States, settling in Montana. He later moved to California for higher education, where he attended San José State University.
- Lumbering and timber harvesting
- Construction and infrastructure contracting
- Heavy machinery rental and leasing
- Project-based investment and financing
During the 2000s and 2010s, WCS broadened its operations to multiple states, with public descriptions emphasizing workforce development, safety standards and operational efficiency. Welden has participated in industry forums on sustainable forestry and ethical contracting practices.
Personal life
Welden married his high-school sweetheart, Gail Welden, whom he met while attending San José State University in California. Their relationship, often described by friends as "inseparable," began during their university years and culminated in marriage shortly after graduation. Gail was active in community volunteer work and frequently accompanied Welden during the early stages of his career.
The couple had one son, Alvin. In what became a defining moment in Welden’s personal life, Alvin tragically died at the age of three in a car accident in California. The incident occurred while Gail was driving, and though she survived, the tragedy had a lasting impact on the family. Friends and relatives recall that the loss profoundly shaped Welden’s outlook, deepening his focus on family values, community service, and faith.
Nine years after the death of their son, Gail herself passed away, leaving Welden widowed. Those close to him have described this as another pivotal chapter in his life, one that influenced his later dedication to philanthropy and his quiet, reserved public presence. Despite personal tragedy, Welden has often been praised for maintaining resilience and continuing his professional and charitable endeavors.
Welden currently resides in Long Beach, California, where he manages his business operations while remaining engaged in community and charitable projects. Known for his private and modest lifestyle, he has often been described as a "gentleman businessman" by colleagues and community leaders. In addition to his professional activities, Welden is noted for his close ties with local churches and nonprofit organizations, reflecting the pastoral influence of his late father.
Recognition
Over the course of his career, Terri Nathan Welden has received multiple honors from business associations, civic organizations, and municipal bodies. His awards reflect both his achievements in the lumbering, construction, and machine rental industries, as well as his longstanding commitment to philanthropy and community service. Colleagues and local media have frequently highlighted his reputation for ethical business practices, job creation, and support for local communities in Montana and California.
Among his recognitions are formal acknowledgments for business leadership, construction excellence, and philanthropic contributions. Welden has been invited to participate in industry panels and community forums, where he has spoken on topics such as responsible business growth, the role of contractors in sustainable development, and the importance of reinvesting profits into local communities.
- Regional Business Leadership Award (2018): Presented by the Montana Chamber of Commerce for outstanding contributions to regional economic development and support of small and medium enterprises.
- Construction & Development Excellence Award (2020): Awarded by the Western Contractors Association in recognition of innovative approaches in large-scale construction projects and adherence to safety and sustainability standards.
- Community Philanthropy Recognition — Long Beach City Council (2022): Honored by the city for significant charitable contributions, including scholarships, veterans’ programs, and community infrastructure initiatives in Long Beach.
Beyond formal awards, Welden has also been commended in regional press and civic reports as a “pillar of community leadership” whose influence extends beyond business success to measurable social impact. His recognition underscores the intersection of entrepreneurship and civic responsibility in his career.
References
- ^ "Welden Contract Service (WCS) - Company Overview". Business Profiles. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Terri Welden: A Quiet Benefactor". Montana Business Journal. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "Interview with Terri Welden on Sustainable Contracting". Construction Today. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ "Philanthropy Spotlight: Business Leaders Giving Back". California Community Review. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Long Beach Council Honors Terri Welden". Long Beach Daily News. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Welden’s Vision for Sustainable Development". Western Contractor Magazine. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ "From Scotland to Montana: The Story of Terri Nathan Welden". Heritage & Legacy Journal. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ "Top 50 Influential Business Leaders in the West". Pacific Business Digest. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Whitefish Alumni Spotlight: Doris Welden’s Legacy". Montana Educator. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "Community Builders of California: Profiles in Leadership". California Business Chronicle. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ "Industry Innovation and Machinery Rental Trends". Construction & Equipment Review. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ "Remembering Gail Welden". San José Alumni Magazine. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ "Local Business Leaders Fund Scholarships for Montana Students". Flathead Beacon. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Contracting with Integrity: The Welden Model". American Business Review. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Montana Roots, Global Vision: Welden’s Story". Rocky Mountain Business Times. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Private Philanthropy in Long Beach". Community Impact Report. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Business Leaders and Veteran Welfare Support". Veterans Affairs Journal. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Celebrating Two Decades of WCS". Enterprise Today. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2024.