Uncrowned Community Builders

Nicholas K. Fortson was born in Buffalo, NY, March 10th, 1957. He attended Public Schools # 74 and # 81 and High School at St. Josephââ?¬â?¢s Collegiate Institute in Kenmore, New York. In 1979, Nicholas graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

After graduation, Nicholas moved to Detroit Michigan and became a Certified Public Accountant. He previously served as Vice President and Comptroller of First Independence National Bank of Detroit one of the largest African American owned banks in the country. Later, he served as Chief Financial officer of Graimark Realty Advisors, Inc., an African American owned company that managed over 1 billion dollars of problem loan assets from failed savings and loan institutions.

In 1996, Nicholas accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer of New South Africa Pizza Company (NSA), an affiliate of Graimark Realty Advisors. NSA owned the franchise rights to Dominoââ?¬â?¢s Pizza in the Republic of South Africa. Nicholas moved to Johannesburg, South Africa with his wife Atty. Peggy Bridges Fortson, and three children, Lauren Christopher and Elaina. From 1996 to 2000 NSA opened 6 Dominoââ?¬â?¢s Pizza stores and a central commissary. NSA employed approximately 80 local staff members. Nicholas and his family engaged in a culturally enriching experience. Nicholas and his wife elected to send their children to a local South African school instead of the American International School. Through work and school activities the Fortsonââ?¬â?¢s became immersed into the daily life of South Africa.

In 2000, Nicholas and his family returned to the United States and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 2000, Nicholas took a job as Chief Executive Officer of University Bank, Chief Financial Officer and Board Member of University Bancorp, Inc., a one bank holding company; Chief Financial Officer of University Islamic Financial Corporation, a bank subsidiary that offers Shariaââ?¬â?¢a compliant financial products; Board Member of Midwest loan services, a company servicing over $4 billion in mortgage, and Board Member of University Insurance and Investment Services.

In March of 2008, Nicholas left the Bank to work full time for The Simpson Group Inc., Trucking Company where he is President and majority owner. The trucking company services the automotive industry.