James B. Nicholson, MBA ’67

James B. Nicholson, MBA '67, is chairman of Detroit based PVS Chemicals, Inc. PVS manufactures, distributes and markets chemicals used in diverse industries around the world. 

Nicholson is widely known for his civic and charitable activities. He was the chairman of the board of the Amerisure Companies and served as lead independent director on the board of DTE Energy. He has also chaired the boards of Business Leaders for Michigan, the Michigan Nature Conservancy, the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan, and the McGregor Fund. He is an emeritus member and past chairman of the boards of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, and Detroit Public Television. 

Nicholson has been honored by numerous charitable organizations and was named Michiganian of the Year in 2004. In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Nicholson to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council where he served until 2015. In 2011, he was appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to the Investment Advisory Committee where he served until 2021, chairing from 2015-2020. He has also chaired the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Detroit Tourism Economic Development Council, and the Wayne County Airport Authority Board. A generous philanthropist for over 50 years, he has also served on, or funded, many other nonprofit boards.  

Nicholson earned a BA in economics from Stanford University, an MBA from Chicago Booth, and an MS in economics from the London School of Economics. He resides in Grosse Pointe Farms with his wife of 60 years.