Robert C. Nakasone is a retired CEO of Toys ”R” Us Inc. where he also served as Vice-Chair of the Board; President and COO; and President of Worldwide Toy Stores. During his 14-year career he led the expansion from 198 U.S. toy stores to 1,481 “R” Us stores in 26 countries. He holds the distinction of being the first Asian-American (non-founder) CEO of a Fortune 100 service company.
Nakasone is a principal of NAK Enterprises, a private investment and consulting firm and has served on six public boards including Hormel Food Corporation and Staples, Inc, where he was a founding investor and board member. He has also served on multiple private company and non-profit boards including Direct Relief and Cottage Health System of Santa Barbara; and serves as a Trustee of Claremont McKenna College; the Santa Barbara Foundation; “V” Foundation and the Honorary Board of Governors of the Japanese American National Museum.
He was a Presidential Honoree and recipient of the 1992 Asian Pacific American Heritage Award for Excellence in Business (by President George H.W. Bush); the 1994 American Baseball Coaches Association Achievement Award; and the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom in 1999.
Nakasone graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a BS in economics and an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Claremont McKenna College and is a retired Captain in the US Army. He and his wife Lynn reside in Santa Barbara CA. They have four adult children and ten grandchildren.
