Cranbrook President to Retire at End of School Year

The Educational Community today announced that President Rick Nahm will retire at the end of the June after more than a decade marked with internal improvements and continued financial growth.

The school's board of directors also recently elected current Chief Operating Officer Dom DiMarco to take his place effective July 1, which coincides with the school's fiscal year.

“Rick’s leadership over the last decade has left Cranbrook stronger than ever," Cranbrook Chairman Jim Vlasic said in a prepared statement.

He highlighted the improved internal and external collaboration at Cranbrook, the planned preservation initiative and strengthened financial position as key achievements in Nahm's tenure, and also cemented his confidence in DiMarco's ability to carry on after a smooth transition.

"Cranbrook is fortunate to have in Dom DiMarco an exceptional leader already on the team and ready to enable Cranbrook to be even more successful in the future," he said. "Dom’s talents will help us continue and strengthen the momentum within the Community without pause.”

DiMarco was appointed COO and treasurer in 2008, and supervised several areas including finance, business services, human resources, information technology and capital improvement projects. He joined the school after retiring from Ford Motor Co., where he was president of Ford's South American operations.

He brings extensive experience in business strategy, sales and marketing, finance and government affairs.

“I am delighted to be part of an exceptional team and I look forward to contributing to Cranbrook’s continued success,” he said in a news release.

Nahm, who previously served as president of Knox College in Galesburg, IL, and vice president of the University of Pennsylvania, said he will be working with DiMarco on a transition plan and was grateful for the opportunities Cranbrook provided.

“My 11 years at Cranbrook have been an exciting and fulfilling time,” Nahm said. “I’m very grateful to everyone who has given me the opportunity to be a part of this remarkable institution. I will always be an ambassador for the Cranbrook Community.”