Nigel Patrick Fullick
Born in London, England, Nigel’s Irish mother and British father first moved the family to Michigan, and then to South Florida in 1970. Following 4 years in the U.S. Army, he worked his way through college in 4 years- all while working full time as a police officer -earning an Associate Degree and then Bachelor’s Degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1979. He rose through the ranks to detective, fighting narcotics and Organized Crime, including 2 years as an original member of the State’s Attorney’s Task Force on Organized Crime in the early 80’s.
A dream of making the U.S Speed Ski Team and the Olympics culminated when Nigel was the first Floridian to be awarded a World Cup license in 1987. That ended when a racing accident in 1988 put him in a wheelchair for over 2 years, so Nigel entered the business world. He started a snow ski charter business that he grew into the largest in Florida- and then sold. After several more years as a CEO and COO in the travel industry, Nigel had the opportunity to enter mortgage banking in 1997. Over the past 25 years, he has earned national recognition in the industry as both a leader and a mentor. In 2003, he opened one of the most successful startups in Bonita Springs, employing over 35 people “I liked Naples, but I fell in love with Bonita, our amazing Imperial River, the waterways and our people.” That love was returned in 2006, he and his company were the first recipients of the Southwest Florida Business Ethics Award from the Uncommon Friends Foundation and FGCU.
Over all this time, Nigel has always made time to give back, honoring a commitment to his Father and his faith. “My Dad reminded me often, that every opportunity afforded me was primarily the result of being an American, and that as a Christian, your faith was something to be lived 7 days a week. Giving back is just part of that.”
Nigel moved to Bonita Springs full time in 2004 and continued his work with Habitat for Humanity, including serving on the Board of Governors for Palm Beach for 12 years while raising thousands of dollars each year for Relay for Life, serving on the Boards of the Literacy Council, Amigos en Cristo and now the Bonita Springs Center for the Arts. An avid outdoorsman who loves sports, Nigel discovered that public art not only gave citizen’s a sense of pride and ownership, but has also helped create part of our “Small Town Charm” identity. He serves as the Chairman of our City of Bonita Springs Art in Public Places Board since being “temporarily” appointed almost 18 years ago! Nigel believes it will be a key factor to complete the vision of our City founders, over 30 years ago, and provide a real downtown community that includes restaurants, shops and residences. “Downtown Old 41 should be a destination for our citizens and visitors, not just a shortcut or thoroughfare to other cities.”
Nigel has received our Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award, as well as the prestigious Pat Lord Award from the Bonita Estero Area Board of Realtors for his work in our community. He has managed the five S.W. Florida region branches of Newrez- the 4th largest mortgage bank in the country -since 2015. Nigel served on the MBA Board of Governors and was elected President by the SW Florida chapter in 2016. Community, business and law enforcement leaders, associates, friends and neighbors recognize that Nigel will bring his proven leadership, business experience, integrity and boundless energy to help focus our City Council on it’s real mission- the safety, quality of life and financial stewardship of our citizens. Those relationships, his drive and personal creed to; ‘just do the right thing’ is exactly what we need as our next Councilman for District 5.
