James B. Nicholson (Jim) is Chairman of Detroit based PVS Chemicals, Inc. PVS manufactures, distributes and markets chemicals used in diverse industries around the world. Over forty five years ago, he joined the family business his father founded. Today he and his four sons work together growing the business and supporting the community.
Jim is widely known for his civic and charitable activities. He has been honored by numerous charitable organizations and was named Michiganian of the Year in 2004. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan and the Futures Foundation. He is a past Chairman of the Board of Business Leaders for Michigan, the Michigan Nature Conservancy and the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. He is a current member and past Chairman of the Board of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Emeritus Board member of Detroit Public Television. He also serves on the boards of the Michigan Colleges Foundation and the Detroit Economic Club.
In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Jim 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 and became its chair in 2015. He has also chaired the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Detroit region’s Tourism Economic Development Council and the Wayne County Airport Authority Board. Jim is past Chairman of the Board of the Amerisure Companies and from 2012 through 2019 was a member of the board of DTE Energy.
Jim earned a BA in Economics from Stanford University, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a Master of Science Degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.
In 1998, he started the Futures Foundation in collaboration with the leadership of MORC. His commitment continues to be to help people with developmental disabilities live a quality life in our community.