Don Richards graduated from Okaloosa-Walton Junior College (NWFSC) in 1984 with an associate’s degree in marketing and business. He believes the college provided the foundation for his prosperous career, spanning 41 years.
Don grew up in Fort Walton Beach, but didn’t attend NWFSC directly after high school. He left school during his junior year, got his GED, and joined the Marine Corps. Unfortunately, his time in the Marines was cut short when he was discharged due to kidney issues. When he got back to Fort Walton, he wasn’t sure what to do; his classmates hadn’t graduated from high school yet, but he couldn’t return since he had already gotten his GED. That’s when his former principal pointed him toward Okaloosa-Walton Junior College. For his first semester, his grandmother helped with costs, but afterwards, it was on him. Don worked two jobs and took two to three classes each semester, depending on what he could afford.
All of Don’s hard work paid off in 1984, when Aramark offered him a position on the condition that he had an associate’s degree. With five classes left, he decided to dedicate his last semester to pushing through those classes while still working his two jobs. He graduated in April of 1984, with no time to walk the stage, and moved to Dallas to start his career with Aramark.
From then on, Don worked in multiple roles with Aramark: working his way up within the company as Account Manager, District Manager, and Vice President. When he needed more education for those promotions, they helped him earn his BSM through the University of Phoenix with tuition reimbursement. He retired from Aramark as Vice President of the Atrium Health account in 2021 but returned in 2023 as district manager for the Florida Department of Corrections contract. He held this position until his second retirement in 2025.
Don truly believes that without the grace of God and the foundation gained here at NWFSC, he would not have such a successful career. He recalled his last semester and how many of his professors helped him through that tough time; as he worked two jobs, while completing five classes, barely having enough time for sleep. He specifically remembers Dr. Wilson, who knew what he was going through and scheduled his exams after his day off so he would be well-rested. Don often reflects on this time and whether he would have had the same success at a larger school, where building a relationship with your professor is more challenging.
In retirement, Don enjoys his time playing golf and serving the community. He has been a Deacon at First Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach, since 2023 and hopes to continue supporting his alma maters, Aramark, and the Waterfront Rescue Mission. Don is passionate about the impact NWFSC has on its students and local communities and hopes that people see the asset that lies so close to home.
Don wants current NWFSC students to remember the value of their degree. He advises them to treat this time as a college experience; take advantage of the relationships they can cultivate with their teachers and get involved wherever they can. Students should remember to look for jobs with tuition reimbursement or management training programs to get their foot in the door; you don’t have to take the normal route to achieve your goals.
And to his fellow alumni, he says; Invest back in the school by offering your time, skills, or anything you can give to help grow the college’s resources. Connect with professors here, talk to the students about your time here, and what you were able to accomplish.
