Jerry-Nailor
Jerry Nailor '64
Service to Humanity

After graduating from high school, Jerry entered the U.S. Army, and for the next three years he served in the Signal Corps as an Avionics Specialist.

Upon being discharged from the military, Jerry began his career with local government, serving from 1971 to 1975 as a Programmer/Auditor for the city of Harrisburg. In 1975 he became the city’s Deputy Controller and three years later became Chief Deputy Controller. In 1979 Jerry was elected Cumberland County Treasurer, a position he held for nine years. During that time, his fellow county treasurers elected him president of their statewide Treasurers Association. In 1988, he was elected to serve the 88th legislative district in the PA State House of Representatives. He quickly became known as a "hands on" legislator and one who was transparent and visible throughout his district.

During his tenure in the State House, Mr. Nailor served on numerous committees including the House Education Committee, the Professional Licensure Committee, and the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. He was appointed to the bi-partisan Speaker’s commission on Legislative Reform and represented the House on the State Advisory Board for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Some of Jerry’s major accomplishments as a PA legislator included requiring full House Judiciary investigation and hearings into the 1989 prison riots at the State Correctional Institution in Camp Hill and working on environment issues such as the "scenic designation" for the Yellow Breeches Creek. He also was responsible for increasing the state reimbursement for renovating existing vacant buildings for school facilities as well as the enactment of a mandatory dog/cat sterilization program at Humane Societies and SPCAs. Jerry spearheaded the effort to help complete the PA Veterans Memorial at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery and assisted in passing legislation to support our PA National Guard.

Jerry received numerous honors and awards throughout his outstanding career. Among them, he was named the Legislator of the Year by the Citizens for Better Libraries, the Government Leader of the Year by the Harrisburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business. He received local recognition from UCP for his support of individuals facing physical and mental challenges; from local and state veterans and firefighter organizations, and he was presented the Bronze Medallion from the Chapel of Four Chaplains for his community and military contributions.

Jerry served the people of the 88th House District and residents of Pennsylvania for 20 years.

Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Donna Carson, and they look forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in the near future. The Nailors reside in Florida.