GUILLERMO NURSE FOR MAYOR
Get to Know Guillermo
Conectando comunidades. Inspirando unidad. Liderando con integridad.
Mayor Guillermo Nurse was born in the former U.S. territory of the Panama Canal Zone and raised in the town of Pedro Miguel. One of twelve siblings and the son of Clifford and Rebecca Nurse, Guillermo grew up in a close-knit community that shaped his deep commitment to service and connection.
At 17, he immigrated to the United States and went on to serve 22 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. His military career—rooted in leadership, discipline, and global experience—provided the foundation for a lifetime of dedication to others.
Guillermo and his wife, Kirsa, made Oxford, North Carolina their home in 2010. He is a proud father of six children and grandfather to eleven grandchildren—family remains at the heart of everything he does. Since then, he has become a familiar face in Oxford and the surrounding municipalities. If you see Mayor Nurse in public, it’s likely he’s speaking with a neighbor—always ready to listen, connect, and offer support.
For over thirty years, Guillermo has helped young men and women from Panama and Puerto Rico access educational and athletic scholarships in the United States, opening doors to brighter futures. His leadership experience also spans the public and private sectors, from serving as a Facility Operations Manager to coaching professional and national basketball teams, including Panama’s men’s national team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
In 2023, Guillermo made history as the first Latino and first Black mayor of Oxford, and the first Latino mayor in the state of North Carolina. As a proud Afro-Latino, immigrant, veteran, and community advocate, he brings a unique and inclusive perspective to the role.
Today, Mayor Nurse is dedicated to strengthening Oxford through connection and community. With a deep love for his city and a firm belief in collective progress, he continues to build bridges—rompiendo barreras y construyendo un futuro para todos.