Rick Nagel was appointed to the Board of Regents by Governor Kevin Stitt in April 2021. As the Managing Partner of Acorn Growth Companies, Regent Nagel leads the strategic direction of the firm and its portfolio assets. Mr. Nagel first served Acorn as an Advisory Board Member and in 2004 joined as a partner, launching the firm’s private equity practice. He leads, and is responsible for, Acorn’s current geographic footprint, fund operations, fundraising activity, investment deal generation, portfolio integrations and performance improvement initiatives. Since joining Acorn, the firm has closed more than 30 transactions in areas that include advanced manufacturing, government IT services, defense electronics, engineering services, aircraft financing and leasing, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), maintenance repair overhaul, modernization and upgrades, radar, satellite communications, airborne logistics, air cargo, value-added distribution, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). Prior to joining Acorn, Mr. Nagel was with Platinum Equity as part of their operating team, where he led several revitalization and transformation strategies that spanned high-growth enterprises and successful turnarounds. Mr. Nagel is a current member of the Board of Governors for the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), US Army Association, the US Air Force Association, and the National Defense Industrial Association. He serves on the Executive Committee for the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, is involved with numerous civic organizations, locally and nationally and serves both as the state president of the Oklahoma Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and as a National Trustee for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In addition, Mr. Nagel is the treasurer for US Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK, Appropriations & Rules). Nagel is a Phillips 66 Scholar and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Engineering. Nagel resides with his family in Norman, Oklahoma.
