Don Mapel

Don Mapel
Chairman, Durango Coca-Cola Bottling

From the trading posts of Arizona Territory to the copper mines of New Mexico, Don Mapel's family has been immersed in businesses in the Southwest. His father remembers delivering Coca-Cola by wagon to the trading posts.

After graduating from Fountain Valley School and Whittier College, Don married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Abernathy, and shortly thereafter left for a three-year stint in the Navy. Upon returning from a tour in Vietnam in 1970, Don, Sandra, and daughter Meredith moved to Durango to continue the family Coca-Cola business.

Thirty-five years later, they still feel fortunate to live in southwestern Colorado where Don remains active in local activities from serving as a director of Fort Lewis College Foundation, the Durango Industrial Foundation, and Board of Governors of the Coca-Cola Bottlers' Association, to mountain bike racing, skiing, and rafting. Don started the local youth soccer league, was instrumental in helping establish the Iron Horse Bicycle Race, and was elected Citizen of the Year in 2002.

The Southwestern business connection continues as daughter Meredith and son Frank live and work in Durango. All four Mapels cherish their heritage in this magical corner of colorful Colorado.