Ron Nicol
Ronald L. Nicol | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 30, 1953 Maryland, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Executive, management consultant, former submarine naval officer |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Known for | Leading BCG's worldwide technology, media, and communications division; leading agency action team during Trump presidential transition |
Ronald L. Nicol (born June 30, 1953) is an American executive and management consultant with a background as a submarine naval officer. Between 1987 and 2019, he was affiliated with Boston Consulting Group, where he eventually led the firm's worldwide technology, media, and communications division. In 2016, Nicol led the agency action team during the presidential transition for President-elect Donald J. Trump.
Early life and education
Raised in Maryland, Nicol attended Beall High School located in Frostburg, Maryland. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the United States Naval Academy. His naval service included seven years on active duty, during which he taught nuclear engineering and served aboard a ballistic missile submarine. In 1986, with support from his employer and the G.I. Bill, he earned an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. He continued his military involvement in the Naval Reserve, ultimately achieving the rank of lieutenant commander.
Nicol graduated with honors from the United States Naval Academy in 1975, ranking seventh in his class with a 3.88 GPA out of 4.00 in physics. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Prize for exceptional academic performance. Post-graduation, he conducted research in plasma physics at the United States Naval Research Laboratory.
After completing nuclear power training, Nicol served aboard the USS Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN-658), earning qualifications as officer of the deck (OOD), engineering officer of the watch (EOOW), engineering duty officer (EDO), and command duty officer. His final position on the submarine was main propulsion assistant (MPA), and he successfully passed the Chief Engineers Exam to receive certification from Naval Reactors.
He subsequently instructed at Nuclear Power School before concluding active duty service in 1982. Remaining in the Navy Reserve under COMSUBLANT, Nicol transitioned to retired Reserve status in 1995. In 2023, he was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Academy—an honor bestowed annually to only five living alumni out of more than 50,000.
Career
Nicol’s civilian career began at Babcock & Wilcox, an energy firm based in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he managed manufacturing operations within the Naval Nuclear Fuel Division.
Boston Consulting Group
Joining Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Chicago in 1987, Nicol attained partner status within four years and established BCG’s Dallas office in 1993. Consulting Magazine included him among its top 25 Global Consultants in 2006. He held roles as senior partner and managing director before transitioning to senior advisor in January 2016, concentrating on technology and organizational strategy. Additionally, Nicol serves as an advisor to Tritium Partners and Anzu Industrial Capital Partners.
Trump transition
In 2016, Nicol was appointed to lead the agency action team responsible for managing federal agency transitions during President-elect Donald J. Trump’s administration changeover.
After completing this role, Nicol resumed his business activities by joining various corporate boards, providing counsel to private equity and venture capital firms, and maintaining a senior advisory position at The Boston Consulting Group.
Board memberships
In November 2012, Nicol assumed the role of chairman for the Board of Visitors at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, which achieved the top ranking among U.S. business schools by Business Week during his leadership. He now holds the title of Chairman Emeritus.
Nicol became a board member of Austin Industries, a multifaceted construction firm based in the United States, in March 2018.
Between July 2019 and October 2020, Nicol was a director on the board of Top Aces US, a company specializing in providing advanced airborne training to prominent international air forces.
In March 2020, he joined the United States Naval Academy Foundation's board, contributing to the support of the Naval Academy's objectives. One year later, in March 2021, he was appointed as a trustee for its Athletic and Scholarship Program.
In December 2021, NUBURU, a manufacturer of industrial high-power blue lasers located in Centennial, Colorado, appointed Nicol as Executive Chairman. He also serves on the company's board.
Personal life
Nicol is married to Liane S. Nicol, and together they have two daughters and five grandchildren. In 2012, they created a $1 million charitable lead annuity trust (CLAT) designed to benefit their daughters as well as the Ronald L. and Liane S. Nicol Scholarship Endowment at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.