Nolan Nicholson traded the baseball diamond for the crown jewel of Santa Barbara’s art scene, joining The Granada’s Board of Directors recently.
The former minor league pitcher for the Gary SouthShore RailCats and current First Vice President and Regional Relationship Manager at Farmers & Merchants Bank brings his financial acumen to The Granada Board.
“Nolan is exactly the kind of person we want around this table,” said Palmer Jackson Jr., Board Chairman and CEO of The Granada Theatre. “He brings a rare combination of deep financial expertise and a genuine love for this community. We are excited to have him join us and look forward to the perspective and energy he will bring to The Granada.”
History in Santa Barbara
Nicholson is the great-great-grandson of F&M Bank founder C.J. Walker. The bank is one of the oldest banks in California, under continuous family ownership. In 2018, Nicholson opened the bank’s Santa Barbara branch.
Coming from a family where longevity and legacy are center stage, Nicholson was naturally drawn to The Granada’s storied history.
“I appreciate the history of The Granada and its commitment to support world-class art in Santa Barbara,” he said. “The support of different resident companies allows all community members to enjoy The Granada, whether it is with the Symphony, Ballet, or other resident companies. The individuals involved with the organization are deeply passionate, which makes it seamless to participate with their excitement.”
Since moving to the city with his wife and four daughters, his family has made seeing the annual Nutcracker performance by the State Street Ballet at The Granada a holiday tradition.
Work on The Board
In addition to his volunteer work with The Granada, Nicholson sits on the finance committee for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and volunteers with Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County.
According to Nicholson, The Granada and The Museum of Natural History share the enviable position of being on solid financial footing.
“This creates exciting opportunities for The Granada,” he said. “My role with both organizations is to steward the trust of current and previous donors. I hope to ensure that the traditions of The Granada continue for its next 100 years and be a small influence amongst a very dedicated Board.”
The Granada Board Members are responsible for the long-term vitality of the theater, championing its mission, and ensuring its continued service to the community across generations. For Nicholson, a fifth-generation banker whose professional life is built on exactly that kind of long-term stewardship, the role is a natural fit.
The Next Generation
Since its Centennial celebration two years ago, The Granada has expanded its programming to draw more of the community to the theater and to appeal to multi-generational audiences, something Nicholson is excited to continue supporting.
“The local arts scene provides new experiences for our children,” he said. “Having an accessible theater with a variety of shows gives our children an outlet to dream big.”
Nicholson’s own family looks forward to seeing ways in which the theater can continue to expand its programming for young audiences.
When asked about his dream show at The Granada, Nicholson said it may be from out of left field, but he’d love to see Garth Brooks take the stage. With Nicholson now on the board, perhaps that dream could one day become a reality.