WHITEWATER - The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater presented Donald R. Hughes with its Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement at the university's annual Founders Day event April 16.
The Blanchardville native credits his successful career in accounting and finance to his time at UW-Whitewater and mentorship from key faculty. A tax accounting professor was instrumental in pointing the first-generation college graduate toward his first job, at Arthur Andersen, and to obtaining his CPA certificate.
After working at Arthur Andersen, Hughes joined Lands' End in 1987 as a senior staff accountant. He rose to be senior vice president and CFO before leaving in 2004 to co-found Fair Indigo, a Madison fair trade apparel and accessories online store featuring products that provide a fair wage to people in the developing world and U.S.-made products that keep jobs in the country.
Along with a former Lands' End colleague, Hughes also co-owns 16 Two Men and a Truck franchises over numerous states and two BrightStar Care in-home health care franchises in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Since 2009, Hughes has worked at Colony Brands Inc. In his current role as vice president and CFO, he has responsibility for management of the finance, information technology, quality assurance, security and maintenance departments.
Through the years, Hughes has maintained strong ties to UW-Whitewater. He is a former chairman of the UW-Whitewater Foundation Board and served as the commencement speaker for the spring 2014 graduation ceremony.
Hughes lives with his wife, Joan, outside Monroe. They have five children, three of whom are UW-Whitewater alumni, and two granddaughters.
The Blanchardville native credits his successful career in accounting and finance to his time at UW-Whitewater and mentorship from key faculty. A tax accounting professor was instrumental in pointing the first-generation college graduate toward his first job, at Arthur Andersen, and to obtaining his CPA certificate.
After working at Arthur Andersen, Hughes joined Lands' End in 1987 as a senior staff accountant. He rose to be senior vice president and CFO before leaving in 2004 to co-found Fair Indigo, a Madison fair trade apparel and accessories online store featuring products that provide a fair wage to people in the developing world and U.S.-made products that keep jobs in the country.
Along with a former Lands' End colleague, Hughes also co-owns 16 Two Men and a Truck franchises over numerous states and two BrightStar Care in-home health care franchises in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Since 2009, Hughes has worked at Colony Brands Inc. In his current role as vice president and CFO, he has responsibility for management of the finance, information technology, quality assurance, security and maintenance departments.
Through the years, Hughes has maintained strong ties to UW-Whitewater. He is a former chairman of the UW-Whitewater Foundation Board and served as the commencement speaker for the spring 2014 graduation ceremony.
Hughes lives with his wife, Joan, outside Monroe. They have five children, three of whom are UW-Whitewater alumni, and two granddaughters.