Nelson Ford’s job requires him to fix things. From televisions to patching holes in walls, Nelson has a knack – and a love – for making things become new again.

As the Director of Maintenance for The Beacon at Gulf Breeze, a Florida Assisted Living and Memory Care community in Gulf Breeze, Nelson is as skilled as they come. But he has one skill that many don’t know he has: Pinball.

“Yeah, I’ve really gotten into it over the years. I’m just lucky my girlfriend loves pinball, too,” Nelson said with a laugh. “My next machine has been ordered and will pay homage to Sean Connery's 007.”

"Gotten into it" is an understatement: He has a dedicated arcade-like room in his home.

He’s definitely gotten into it.

Nelson developed a love for pinball at a young age. Each machine merged his love of mechanics, technology, and art into one brightly lit, glass-filled case.

“As a kid, I always thought they were so cool in arcades,” Nelson said. “So, when I grew up, I got a few pinball machines and I made myself an arcade. It’s a kid’s dream.”

He has owned ten machines over the years. Sometimes he buys working machines, but sometimes he will buy an old machine to refurbish.

“These machines have so much history. If I can fix them up and get them back up and running, others can experience the thrill of these works of art.”

And that’s what Nelson does ­– makes things new again.