Alumni Spotlight: Craig Nash

Florida State University alumnus Craig Nash served as the chairman and chief executive officer of ILG, Inc., an American vacation ownership company, until 2018, when ILG merged with Marriott Vacations Worldwide, MVW. Nash earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Department of Psychology, part of the College of Arts and Sciences, with a minor in government from the College of Social Science and Public Policy. He earned a juris doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law in 1978. Nash and his wife, Deirdre Nash, have stayed connected to FSU through their support of the FSU Autism Institute.

Tell us a little about your background, where you’re from and what brought you to FSU.

I’m originally from Coral Gables, Florida, and planned to play football in college until a senior-year injury in high school derailed that plan. After deciding to focus on my academic career, in 1972, I enrolled at Miami Dade Junior College. While at Miami Dade, I visited some friends who went to FSU. I really enjoyed my trip and decided I wanted to transfer to Florida State that weekend.

What contributed to your decision to switch career paths? How did your psychology foundation prepare you professionally?

My father, a renowned Miami pediatrician, played a major role in my decision to switch career paths, although he was always supportive of me. I originally planned to pursue my doctoral degree and become a clinical psychologist, but my dad offered to pay for my law school, which opened new doors and possibilities for me.

My psychology degree has helped me through my career, specifically during the time I was lobbying all over the country for constructive timeshare legislation. In 1982, when I was hired as the director of regulatory affairs for Interval International, I didn’t even know what a lobbyist was. I just knew I had a competitive streak and a degree that taught me how to understand people, which proved to be a secret weapon in my career.

Tell us about your work as chairman and CEO of ILG.

I spent over 35 years at Interval International and its successor ILG, moving from legislative counsel and lobbyist to general counsel and, finally, chairman and CEO. My early work focused on creating a regulatory framework that protected consumers while allowing the vacation ownership industry to thrive. From there, I transitioned into executive leadership, ultimately guiding the business through several private and public evolutions-including our 2008 transition from an IAC subsidiary to an independent, public corporation.

How did going through ownership transitions, including the merger with Marriott Vacations Worldwide, shape your perspective on entrepreneurial growth?

My career is defined by leading a dedicated and passionate team through six ownership transitions, as well as the worst of the 2008 recession. While operating as a public company, we leveraged long-standing relationships to acquire the vacation ownership segments of Hyatt and Starwood. This pivot to vertically integrate and acquire iconic brands re-positioned ILG for long-term growth. Our team transformed Interval International from an $11 million company in 1988 to a $4.7 billion industry powerhouse by 2018, when ILG merged with MVW. This merger was –– and still is –– the largest transaction in the timeshare industry. Ultimately, leveraging your skill set with an understanding of people and the ability to collaborate will lead you to success.

How did your time at FSU prepare you for professional success?

College was a great setting and community for me to prosper, both educationally and socially. Law school taught me the “how” — the technical rules and the language of contracts — but the psychology I learned at FSU taught me the “why.” It taught me to look past the ink on the page to understand the person across the table. If you can identify the underlying motivation of the person you’re dealing with, you can find a path to a solution that someone thinking with a pure legal mindset might miss.

As a life-long Seminoles fan, how have you stayed involved with the university since graduating in 1975?

I have a son who's an adult on the autism spectrum. My wife of 46 years, Deirdre, and I became interested in the different programs around the country that focus on autism research and decided to make a generous donation to the FSU Autism Institute in our son’s name.

This gift bridges my early interest in clinical psychology with my lifelong commitment to advocacy. Just as I once fought for the rights and regulations of an industry, Deirdre and I are now championing the research and support systems that’ll empower the next generation of neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Tell us about your most formative experiences during your time at FSU.

Overall, joining a fraternity and creating a bond with people across FSU’s community kept me grounded and growing as a person.

The first government class I took was also very important. The class was run as a political platform exercise, like the Republican or Democratic convention. We had to form groups with like-minded individuals in a large auditorium. Social interaction and reading social cues were a large part of this course.

What advice do you have for current students getting ready to start their careers? What advice do you have for FSU’s newest alumni?

There's not a straight trajectory to where you think you want to go. Don’t wait for a perfect plan to find you. Your ability to adapt when the original plan falls apart is what matters most. I wanted to be a clinical psychologist but ended up having a significant role in building a global industry.

Don’t just study the subject matter — study the people. It’s essential to step away from technology and connect with people around us. In the end, life and business aren't about taking the last dime off the table; they’re about finding the path where everyone walks away a winner. That’s how you build a legacy that lasts.