In 1944 Nelson became the first official Head of the Republic Grip Department but stipulated that it was to be on a temporary basic. While Head of the Grip Dept., Nelson took a proposal up to management and convinced them to change the stage hangers from the wooden ones, that were used for years and purchase the new "patented" metal hangers which were easier to work with, safer and would last longer, thus saving the company money. By 1945, the new metal hangers were in use at Republic Studios.