Bruce E. Nichols

Bruce E. Nichols is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, where he was listed as a Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and was awarded the prestigious Olmstead Scholarship for post graduate study abroad. At that time he commanded a battalion of over 700 midshipmen.

He is a former surface warfare officer, served as the personal aide to the Commander of Naval Forces Marianas, and taught leadership and management at the Surface Warfare Officers’ School in Coronado, California.

After resigning his commission, he entered the hospitality industry and assumed leadership positions in marketing and sales.  His civilian leadership roles have ranged from senior management positions in high technology firms to President of the $4 billion Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association.
In 1984 he formed a consulting partnership.  The firm assumed the management of a struggling chemical business and subsequently acquired it. In later years Bruce became the Chairman and CEO.  Under his leadership the company’s value increased by over 1500 percent, when the Kimberly-Clark Corporation acquired it in 1998.

Today, in addition to extensive consulting and public speaking, Bruce focuses his efforts on helping businesses develop their leadership skills.  He currently sits on 5 Boards.  He is an adjunct professor of business at California State University San Marcos, former Chairman of the College of Business’ Advisory Board, and lectures on leadership in the MBA program. In July of 2001 he was the recipient of the President’s Distinguished Service Award.