Rick Nahm began his tenure as president of Cranbrook Educational Community in August of 2001. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as well as president of Knox College in Illinois. Other positions in the corporate and higher education worlds include vice president and general secretary at Centre College, senior vice president for planning and development at the University of Pennsylvania and acting president of Colonial Williamsburg from 1999 to 2000.

Nahm has served on the boards and advisory committees for a wide variety of organizations focused on education, art and science, including the Virginia Wesleyan University Board, Greater Williamsburg Area Performing Arts Council, Virginia Symphony Orchestra and as chair of the Smithsonian’s organizing committee for planning and development. He currently serves on the board of Detroit Public Television and as president of the Cultural Coalition of Southeastern Michigan.

Nahm holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Centre College and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Kentucky. Known for his love of music, especially rhythm and blues, he has a record collection of more than 10,000 selections. He is married to Sandra, and they have five grown children.