A summa cum laude economics graduate of Stony Brook University, Richard Nasti subsequently earned a juris doctor from the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduating in 1981, Richard Nasti began working as chief counsel to United States Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato, and later served as regional administrator of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration under President Ronald Reagan. 

Richard Nasti joined the New York-based real estate development, management, and construction firm H.J. Kalikow & Company in 1987 and served in various capacities before being promoted to his current position of executive vice president. He was general manager of the New York Post, which was owned by Kalikow, from 1987 to 1994. In addition, he maintained involvement in government by serving on various task forces studying public policy issues and holding board membership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 

Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Nasti is the chairman of Stony Brook University's Center for Italian Studies and a board member of the school's philanthropic foundation. He is a recipient of the Stony Brook Distinguished Alumni Award and has garnered additional accolades, including the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom and Dante Medal of the American Association of Teachers of Italian.