John Nichols

Jay Nichols is vice president of HandCraft Services, sharing leadership and ownership decisions with his brothers Keith and Jeff. Jay now oversees HandCraft’s dry cleaning and retail laundry division including four stores, seven wholesalers, and three home routes. He is also responsible for negotiations with financial institutions and leasing arrangements. Jay enjoys helping HandCraft exceed industry standards for cleanliness and efficiency. Like his four other siblings, from a very early age, Jay spent his summers and weekends working alongside their father, who founded HandCraft in 1956. Born on the day the company was founded, Jay started his professional career with HandCraft in 1978. Jay has served on the board of trustees of Benedictine College Preparatory, the board of directors of Divers and Associates, and the board of directors of Richmond Area Fabri-care Association (RAFA). He has served as president of the Richmond Shirt Company. Jay is now a member of the Great Lakes Management Bureau and serves on the Foundation Board of Bon Secours. Following the family tradition, Jay graduated from Benedictine College Preparatory in 1974. He then graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Since then, he has attended numerous industry courses with the International Fabric-Care Institute (IFI). A resident of Goochland County, Jay is married to Cary C. Edel Nichols, and they have three children: Curtis, Cameron, and Anne Stewart.