John L. Nau III, CEO, conservationist and liberal arts advocate, joins the board of directors

In December, the Sweet Briar College Board of Directors elected their newest member, John L. Nau, III, who will begin his board membership on Feb. 26. John is the chairman and CEO of Silver Eagle Beverages, one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributors in the nation. The company employs more than 500 people who serve San Antonio and thirteen surrounding counties in southwest Texas. John is a graduate of the University of Virginia and previously served on their board of visitors, a position appointed by Virginia’s governor. He is also founder and president of The Nau Foundation.

“As father to two daughters, John believes strongly in the importance of women leadership,” says President Woo. “As a conservationist, he has led the nation in protecting our natural environment and our historical legacies. As a longtime supporter of liberal arts education, he has shown a profound commitment to fostering intellectual independence. His values align perfectly with the mission of Sweet Briar. I am thrilled to welcome him to the Sweet Briar community.”

John’s commitment to service is apparent through his broad participation in civic, community and philanthropic organizations in Texas and throughout the country. His current involvement includes serving as chairman of the Texas Historical Commission and as a board member for the National Park Foundation, American Battlefield Trust, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, Baylor College of Medicine, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park, Houston Police Foundation, San Antonio Zoo and The Admiral Nimitz Foundation. John is also an honorary trustee of Texas Heart Institute, honorary state trustee for the San Antonio Parks Foundation and advisory council member to the Center for Big Bend Studies.

“I am honored to join the Sweet Briar College Board of Directors. I believe in Sweet Briar’s mission of educating women leaders of tomorrow. I also share the College’s commitment to historical conservation and look forward to working with the Sweet Briar community to make a difference,” said John L. Nau, III.

With Sweet Briar’s recent success and bold plan for shaping the future of women’s liberal arts education, this is an exciting time to welcome John to the board.