His Life Journey

We will begin this story with the history of our Scottish Rite Valley, as Ill. Don was the cornerstone in the creation of the Santa Ana Valley, now known as the Orange County Valley. 

In early 1972, Ill. Tapia — at the time a member of the San Bernardino Valley — got together with other interested brothers and petitioned the Valley of San Bernardino, for the sponsorship of an Orange County Scottish Rite Club located in Santa Ana. This sponsorship was duly given and approved by the Supreme Council resulting in the formation of the Orange County Scottish Rite Club on May 5, 1976 with 512 charter members.

The club was formed as a pre-requisite to starting a Scottish Rite Valley in Santa Ana and operated for two years under the direction of President Ill. Don Tapia, 33° and Secretary Ill. Dave Bates, 33°. After two years, the appropriate requests were made, and Letters Temporary were issued as follows:

• Lodge of Perfection – October 1977
• Chapter Rose Croix – October 1977
• Council of Kadosh – April 1978
• Consistory – April 1978
• Charter for all Bodies – October 1979

Under the supervision of Ill. Tapia, the new Valley grew rapidly to over 2,000 members.

In July of 2001, under his leadership and with a personal gift of $50,000, the Santa Ana Childhood Language Center, now the RiteCare Childhood Language Center of Orange County was established. This was the culmination of the dreams of many members of the Santa Ana Scottish Rite Valley. It should be noted that, thanks to his ongoing participation and financial contributions, the Center has continued to grow and has become one of the most successful RiteCare centers in the state of California. 

The mission of the Center has not changed much since Ill. Tapia helped get the charity started. The Center continues to provide complete speech and language diagnostic evaluations and therapy services to children from 2 to 16 years of age who are experiencing speech challenges.

Today, in addition to Ill. Tapia’s financial support and his work with the Board of Directors of the Childhood Language Center, funding for the Center comes from members of the Orange County Valley and donations from our community. 

In addition to membership in the Santa Ana — now Orange Country — Scottish Rite Valley, Ill. Tapia is a member of and has supported many other Masonic organizations such as:

• Havasu Lodge #64 F&AM, Lake Havasu City, Arizona. 
• Past Board Member of the Arizona Masonic Charities. 
• Member of the Royal Order of Scotland and a Robert Bruce Life member. 
• Member in the Phoenix Commandery York Rite Bodies, Phoenix, Arizona.
• El Zaribah Temple A.A.O.N.M.S, Phoenix Arizona
• Member of the Al Malaika Temple, Los Angeles, California.
• Member of the Lake Havas Shrine Club.
• Past President (Honorary Life Member), El Bandito Shire Club.
• Founding member/member of the Benevolent Order of the Crab Claw #4, Lake Charles, Louisiana. 
• Member of the Board of Governors Shriner’s Hospitals for Children in Los Angeles, California, where he acted as Vice Chairman Finance/Budget Committee. 
• Member of the Order of Quetzalcoati, Teocali 7, Order of the Easter Star, Lexington, Kentucky.
• DeMolay Past Chapter Dad, and Advisory Council, Yorba Linda, California. 
• Served as League Administrator, Orange County, California, DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor, DeMolay Preceptory, Arizona/California.
• DeMolay Alumni Associate Charter /Life Member.

Ill. Tapia is also very involved in the community. Other civic & social institutions he has supported both administratively and financially include: 

• Past Chairman Multiple Sclerosis Society; Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 1985. 
• Past Vice Chairman Finance Committee Arizona Republican Party; 1988 – 1992. 
• Director Corporate Board Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix; 1989, where he served as Finance Chairman. 
• Director Sun Angel Foundation; 1991, as a member of the Finance/Budget Committee. 
• Member of the Arizona State University Foundation & Endowment at Arizona State University.
• Founding Director; New Home Education Foundation for Homeless Families. 
• Past Director Chamber of Commerce; Lake Havasu City, Arizona. 
• Past Director of the American Cancer Society; Lake Havasu City, Arizona. 
• Illuminating Engineers Society. 
• Rotary International; formed Lake Havasu Rotary Club. 
• Member of the Development Committee for the Phoenix Zoo. 
• Humane Society; Lake Havasu City & Phoenix, Arizona.  
• Past President Lake Havasu Community Fund. 
• Maricopa County Fair Board & Member of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Executive Posse. 
• The Advisory Council of the Arizona Animal Welfare League
• The Advisory Board for the Foundation for Blind Children in Phoenix, Arizona.
• The Teen LifeLine Phoenix.
• Member of the Board of Directors for the Sun Angel Foundation.
• Member of Plaza Club, Phoenix, Arizona. 
• Member of Phoenix Country Club.
• Emeritus Board Member of the RiteCare Childhood Language Center of Orange County. 
• The Tau Kappa Epsilon Educational Foundation, Saint Leo University.
• Served as Chairman of the Board of Trustee, at Saint Leo University. 

It is important to know the story behind this gentle giant; from his humble beginning to where his stands today — a proud Mason and servant of our government and humanity.

To many of us, Ill. Tapia is the true representation of the American Dream. The journey from a one-bedroom flat with a Murphy bed for his mother and sister while he slept on a couch, a father who disappeared, and a mother who struggled to make rent and feed her family to where he stands today is nothing short of an outstanding accomplishment. 

When speaking to Ill. Tapia you will notice a relaxed and humorous man, but when he’s focused, he becomes quiet, and when discussing his past, he displays humility. He knows very well that his modest beginnings made him the man he is today. 

Ill. Donald Ray Tapia was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 12, 1938. While in Detroit, he attended the Elementary and Intermediate Wiley School -Terre Haute and Cass Tech High School. As a young man, life presented many challenges, but through it all, he found his comfort and faith while attending the United Methodist church.

As the man of the house at a young age, Ill. Tapia took the responsibility and ran with it. He sold newspapers and magazine subscriptions and performed odd jobs to supplement the basics for his mother and sister. All he ever wanted was a new life for himself and his family. Then, years later, everything changed. Don’s mother became ill and Don was sent to live with his uncle.

As he recalls, he went to live with an uncle who wasn’t excited about his nephew coming to live with him. Don lived in the basement next to the coal bin and it was his job to stoke the fire. Everyone would tell him how terrible it must’ve been, and he would say, “No, it’s really not that terrible,” because he had his own room for the first time in his life. He didn’t say it built character, because he was a character. And he is a character, even today.

During high school, he reminisces about climbing out of the basement window and sneaking down the street to meet up with friends. 

His uncle was never the wiser because he always made it back before sunrise. Summers, however, were a completely different story. He started spending weekends working at his family’s 10,000-acre farm in Bloomington, Indiana. Days consisted of shoveling corn and wheat while the combine made its way through the rows. 

For Don, each day consisted of waking up at four in the morning, having breakfast and being in the field until it got dark. Then, by the time he would get home, it was time for a shower and straight to bed. Each day was the same as the one before for weeks on end.

Don never wanted to go back to Detroit. He never wanted to go back to that life, as Don says “My friends — rather, the kids I grew up with at that age— most of them had jail time. I never wanted to go back.”

Facing high school graduation and left with a decision to make, Don carefully revealed his thought process at such a young age, “You’re influenced by the people you are around. You want to be one of the guys, but you don’t want to be in the same predicament as them, so you have to think, “How do you get yourself out? So, I never looked back.”

Fresh out of high school, Don made the decision to join the U.S. Air Force. 

Shortly after joining, he was assigned to the Advisor Japanese Air Defense Forces, PACAF 5th Air Force Intelligence (U-2).

After four years, Don left the military for a position with the Federal Aviation Administration to be an air traffic controller. Although Don spent his time working air traffic control towers, he moved around so much, he may as well have been on the planes themselves. He started out at Erlanger, Kentucky, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio; then Oberlin, Ohio. 

By the way he lights up when talking about his days with the FAA, you can tell it’s one of his fonder memories. He goes on to describe every minute detail of his days as an air traffic controller and later an air route controller—the difference being the caretaker of planes in the sky as opposed to arrivals and departures at the respective airport.

His experiences are reflective in the way his tempo picks up while telling his stories. “People always talk about stress. 

If you’re a stressful person, it was stressful, but I enjoyed it. It was a constant adrenaline rush, because I went to work excited and left excited.”

In all the years since being an air route controller, it’s safe to say the excitement has never left Don. And like the planes he guided, Don’s professional career was preparing for launch. 

He married, had kids and enrolled at the University of Kentucky, although he left school prior to the conclusion of the first semester, as he says with laughter, “I’m not sure if they asked me to leave or if I left on my own accord.”

Although Don was raised as a Master Mason on November 1959, at the Zion Lodge #1, F&AM in Detroit Michigan, he made sure Masonry played a significant role in his family life. 

Through time, his daughter Londa J. Davis was a Jobs Daughter, Rainbow Girl and Daughter of the Nile. His son Timothy was Senior DeMolay Legion of Honor, and a member of the Havasu Lodge 64 F&AM, member of the Valley of Santa Ana Scottish Rite, El Zaribah Shrine, and Royal Order of Jesters Court 17. Lastly, his son Mark was a Senior DeMolay, DeMolay Legion of Honor, member of Havasu Lodge 64 F&AM, Valley of Santa Ana Scottish Rite, El Zaribah Shrine, and Royal Order of Jesters Court 17.

Don may have been the student in the classroom, but he was a teacher off campus. He sold insurance during the one semester at the University of Kentucky. And by then, he was selling more homeowner and health insurance policies than the older guys. As a part-time salesman, Don was earning more awards than he knew what to do with.

Seeking warmer weather, Don decided it was time to move to California. He had relatives who lived close to Disneyland, and while he wasn’t sure where they lived exactly, those were only details. He headed west.

Don would find a steady job in California, then move the family over. By the time Don and his trusty friend Glenn crossed the California state line, they had $147 left in their pockets. 

After a spending a month with Don’s family, the pair moved to their own one-bedroom apartment and Don landed a position at General Electric. Despite saving money by renting only a one-bedroom apartment, and each rotating every other week between the bed and the couch, Don was sending money back home every month to his wife and kids.

As Don recalls, “Because neither of us had any money, we knew every place that had hors d’oeuvres at happy hour”. He remembered going to the bowling alley because they had pizza and meatballs. Then the next day they would go to the bar that had sandwich sliders. They did that for two or three months. 

By the time six months had passed, Don had saved up enough money for his wife and children to make their way to California. And after five years, he left General Electric to join International Telephone and Telegraph. At 27 years of age, he was given the responsibility of consolidating local warehouses and dealing with presidents of their divisions, telling them he was taking away their warehouse. As you can imagine, it didn’t make him a very popular person.

Despite Don’s unpopular role, his compelling personality and “there is no try, only do” attitude kept him moving upward in the climb to success. As he shares his story, he says “And during all this, nobody ever asked me about my education”. I just interviewed really well. Everyone assumed that I had a college degree.”.

What Don had lacked in college degrees, he made up for in unrivaled ambition. In his spare time, he went to the library to read countless finance and business books and journals. As he says, plainly, “If you’re going to run a business, you need to know about finance,”.

From then on, it seemed Don was unstoppable. A brilliant proposal to cut the sales overhead for ITT some 15 percent earned him the opportunity to develop Cal-Neva Electrical Products.

Don later divorced and promised never to be 30 minutes away from his children, which prompted him to buy out a partner in a troubled business relationship. He was officially part owner of Electrical Surplus Sales Company located in a 2,500 square foot warehouse.

“In six months, our sales more than doubled,” Don says. “Keep in mind, I knew nothing about the electrical business. We were doing so well that we took over the 2,800 square foot unit right next to us. We took it over and took a forklift through the drywall into the next building. That was our expansion.”

Two years later, they outgrew the space they were in and expanded to another 15,000 square foot warehouse. Had it not been across the street, Don likely would have taken the forklift through that building, too. It’s been an analogy for life: breaking barriers as a young Hispanic from the streets of Detroit to Paradise Valley.

In the years that followed, Don continued to find success. He sold Cal-Neva Electrical Products and focused on the development of ESSCO. 

The business grew from Orange County, California, to Lake Havasu, Arizona, to Phoenix and several other areas between the California-Nevada border, all while building a reputation as the premier go-to for wires, cables, tools and equipment in the construction industry. At its height, the company employed roughly 300 people in 14 offices and warehouses across Arizona and California.

ESSCO even went on to become the largest Hispanic company in Arizona and was ranked 56th nationally in the Hispanic 500, which prompts Don with a memory he can barely express between spirited laughter.

After accepting the award on stage presented by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Don made his way through the door and out the exit where his son and president of the company stood in disbelief. 

Ill. Don Tapia is never intimidated. At his home just a stone’s throw from the sixth tee box at the Paradise Valley Country Club, photos of him shaking hands with Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, and Bush 41 and 43 proudly occupy his “Presidential Room”, just off the main entrance. In his study, a filing cabinet of memories lay hidden away in a plain folder. He pulls out photos with celebrities and politicians, each a memorable story that Don can’t help but smile about.

He’s proud of his shared time with other well-accomplished individuals; he ought to be, it’s significant no matter where your political allegiances reside. 

But it’s not long until he moves to his real accomplishments, the things he’s truly proud of: the worn covers of finance and business management books he’s read and reread, his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Saint Leo University, and his medals and membership certificate from Tau Kappa Epsilon.

His journey to earn his college degree didn’t come until late in his career, and nearly hand in hand with earning a degree came his introduction to the Fraternity for Life.

“I ran ESSCO Wholesale Electric for 25 years without a degree,” he says. “Nobody knew the difference, because I understood the business and I could talk to presidents of companies without any intimidation. Nobody ever intimidated me. That’s the main thing.”

As he explains, it wasn’t until his granddaughter graduated from high school that he ultimately decided it was time to earn his degree. “I told each one of the grandkids — all six — that I would pay for their education. Well that day of reckoning came when my granddaughter said she wanted to go to San Diego State … I decided I needed to practice what I was preaching and earn my degree before she did — and I did so three months before her.”

Determined to receive his education while continuing to run his titanic-sized company, Don, then 62, took to the Internet to explore his options. A popup for Saint Leo prompted him to do more research. It had a campus, athletics program, and offered bachelor’s and master’s degrees in his preferred field.

“I thought, ‘That’s it!’ So, I enrolled at Saint Leo online. They didn’t know who I was or whether I had a dime or a nickel. I just was another student.” For the next three years, Don left his office mid-afternoon to read his lessons and complete his assignments. Nobody, not even his kids or grandkids, knew he was working double-time running a multi-million-dollar company while earning his degree.

With graduation nearing, Don recalls telling the only two people who knew about him taking online classes—his assistant and his friend, a Catholic priest, “I’m going to get my black cap and robe and I’m going to walk.” The day before graduation, Don and his two guests headed to Saint Leo. “At the airport, I dropped 10 envelopes in the mail to my family that I was receiving my diploma at Saint Leo that Saturday. Before then, nobody knew.”

Don received his bachelor’s degree in 2005 and recalls saying at commencement, “They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I’m a living example that you can.” He went on to earn his master’s in business administration in 2007 with a 3.48 grade point average. His love and passion for Saint Leo blossomed over the years and led to his further involvement with the university following his time as a student.

Highly noted for his business acumen, Don went on to serve on Saint Leo’s board of trustees and later as chairman. And by 2010, after meeting with the university’s top administrators over a glass of wine, he committed to a $4 million lead gift to the university, propelling the development of the state-of-the-art, 48,000 square foot Donald R. Tapia School of Business.

“They were shocked when I agreed to it and asked if I wanted another glass of wine,” Don recalls, laughing about the series of events. “I said, ‘No thanks, the first glass of 

wine cost me $4 million and I don’t know what the second would cost,’ so I got up and left the meeting.”.

The following year, in 2008, after connecting with the men he helped achieve their goal in chartering, Donald R. Tapia was formally initiated at Saint Leo into the Sigma-Theta chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Since then, he hasn’t missed a beat.

What started with a $100,000 contribution to the TKE Educational Foundation upon meeting TEF President and CEO Gary Reed has evolved into further significant contributions to the both the local chapter at Saint Leo and the International Fraternity.

In 2015, following a $250,000 contribution to the TKE Educational Foundation, the Midwest Regional Leadership Conference was renamed the Donald R. Tapia Regional Leadership Conference. For all Fraters and friends of the Fraternity, the generosity of Don’s gift has significantly offset the cost of attending the world-class educational program designed and orchestrated by the Fraternity’s Professional Staff.

Since then, Don has followed up with a $1 million planned gift to the TKE Educational Foundation, which has spurred the renaming of the Fraternity’s International Headquarters in Indianapolis to be recognized as Donald R. Tapia TKE International Headquarters.

“It was never my intention to have the building renamed, even at Saint Leo,” says Don. “It’s not about the recognition. What you find is when people see that somebody has done that, you are hoping other people will follow.”

Don is a world-class philanthropist. As he said upon being recognized in 2014 as an award winner by Caring Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting the extraordinary and lasting efforts of individuals benefitting society, “You have to give of yourself, not just money, but your time and advice to help those who are in need.”

At the 2016 Donald R. Tapia Triangle Summit held in February a letter was read (in his absence) that challenged individuals to work hard, get involved and make a difference. At the end, he gave out his personal number for every participant in attendance. “If you ever need anyone, or need someone to talk to, you call me,” the letter read.

In one instance, he describes receiving a call from a young Frater he had known for some time. “His mother had cancer and he couldn’t make his dues, so I helped him out. You have to. Isn’t that the obligation you took when you became a Teke? To help when you can? That’s what you do.”

Don says that people may think he gives simply because that’s who he is: a successful businessman ready to give it all away. But he says it’s different; it’s personal. “I’ve lived the life. I know that when a teen wants to talk to an adult, you need to listen.”

As Don briefly reflects on his life and his legacy he says, “Never forget where you came from, but never look back.” He goes on to say that a great amount of his life’s work is encompassed in a four-page spread of a magazine. As it describes his humble roots, rise to success and philanthropic endeavors, but it’s his closing statement in the feature that truly exemplifies Donald R. Tapia.

“I’d like to be remembered as someone who always spoke his mind, even if it wasn’t politically correct. I want to be remembered as the one who defied all the naysayers in my life and actually made something of himself. I want to be remembered as the person who is proud to have grown up in the slums of Detroit and yet was able to build something out of nothing. I want to be that role model for today’s young people who says yes, you, too, can make it if you have a dream and the will to get there. And, finally, I want to be remembered as that person who never forgot where they came from, what it was like, and that giving back to those less fortunate fulfills a personal need to share the good fortune he’s had.”

Later in life, Ill. Tapia received his M.B.A. from Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida. 

In 2014, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, for his dedication to the university and for his great vision and sound advice.

On July 18th, 2019, Ill. Donald Tapia was appointed by President Donald Trump, and confirmed by a Senate vote of 66-22, as the U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica. As ambassador, he represents the president in an official capacity and works on efforts to protect and promote national interests and maintain diplomacy.

Ill. Tapia has five grandchildren: Brittany, Joel, Travis, Alexandria, Garrett. He also has two great-grandchildren, a girl and a boy.

In conclusion Don says, “You’ve heard about people having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other? I had to have a flock of angels because they had to do shift work.”

Illustrious Donald R. Tapia, 33° The Patriot, Mason, Business Leader and Philanthropist

Born in Detroit, Michigan on January 12, 1938, to humble origins, a business visionary and charitable juggernaut, who is the embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit and the American dream. 

Service to Our Country

• US Air Force Veteran. Mr. Tapia served his country in the U.S. Air Force where he was assigned to the Advisor Japanese Air Defense Forces, PACAF 5th Air Force Intelligence (U-2). He served from 1955 to 1959.

• On July 18th, 2019, Ill. Donald Tapia was appointed by President Donald Trump, as the U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Jamaica. Use the link to Meet Donald R. Tapia, United States Ambassador to Jamaica.

The Santa Ana (now Orange County) Scottish Rite Valley History

In 1972, Ill. Tapia led the creation of the Santa Ana Scottish Rite Club. Serving as president of the nascent club, Tapia propelled the formation of a full-fledge Valley in Orange County. Letters Temporary were issued as follows:

• Lodge of Perfection – October 1977
• Chapter Rose Croix – October 1977
• Council of Kadosh – April 1978
• Consistory – April 1978
• Charter for all Bodies – October 1979

Under the leadership of Ill. Tapia, membership in the Valley rapidly grew to over 2,000 members.

Our Childhood Language Center

In 2001, through considerable personal effort and sizable financial investment from Mr. Tapia, the Santa Ana Childhood Language Center was established, now known as The RiteCare Childhood Language Center of Orange County. This was the culmination of the dreams of many members of the Santa Ana Scottish Rite Valley. Thanks to his substantial ongoing financial contributions (Mr. Tapia remans a member of the Board of Directors, Emeritus) the Center has continued to grow and has become one of the most successful RiteCare centers in the state of California.

A Masonic Leader

Mr. Tapia has been a member of and supported a myriad of Masonic organizations:

• Member of the Michigan Zion Lodge #1, Detroit, Michigan.

• Havasu Lodge #64 F&AM, Lake Havasu City, Arizona. 

• Past Board Member of the Arizona Masonic Charities. 

• Member of the Royal Order of Scotland and a Robert Bruce Life member. 

• Member in the Phoenix Commandery York Rite Bodies, Phoenix, Arizona

• El Zaribah Temple A.A.O.N.M.S, Phoenix Arizona

• Member of the Al Malaika Temple, Los Angeles, California

• Member of the Lake Havas Shrine Club

• Past President (Honorary Life Member), El Bandito Shire Club

• Founding member/member of the Benevolent Order of the Crab Claw #4, Lake Charles, Louisiana. 

• Member of the Board of Governors Shriner’s Hospitals for Children in Los Angeles, California, where he acted as Vice Chairman Finance/Budget Committee. 

• Member of the Order of Quetzalcoati, Teocali 7, Order of the Easter Star, Lexington, Kentucky.
• DeMolay Past Chapter Dad, and Advisory Council, Yorba Linda, California. 

• Served as League Administrator, Orange County, California, DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor, DeMolay Preceptory, Arizona/California.

• DeMolay Alumni Associate Charter /Life Member.

• Past Board Member of the Masonic Foundation in Arizona.

A Business Visionary

• Mr. Tapia began his professional career as an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration.

• Don began his financial climb when he arrived in California with $147 in his pocket, taking a job with General Electric.

• Don established himself as a leader at 27, working for International Telephone and Telegraph.

• Don developed Cal-Neva, an electrical surplus sales company in California.

• Mr. Tapia started Essco Group Management, where he served as Chairman and CEO, of the largest Hispanic-owned business in Arizona for more than three decades.

• Mr. Tapia is also active with several real estate Investments.

A World-Class Philanthropist

Throughout his life, Mr. Tapia has donated over $6 million to various charities and philanthropies, some including:

• Gifted $50,000 in 2001 to the Santa Ana Language Center, now The RiteCare Childhood Language Center of Orange County to get the Center started. He continues to contribute yearly, with gifts totaling over $60,000 to date.

• Provided $100,000 to the TKE Educational Foundation in 2008. Don remains a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity, 

• Gifted $4 million to Saint Leo’s University, propelling the development of the state-of-the-art, 48,000 square foot Donald R. Tapia School of Business.

• Provided a $250,000 contribution in 2015 to the TKE Educational Foundation. 

• A $1 million gift to the TKE Educational Foundation, which has spurred the renaming of the Fraternity’s International Headquarters in Indianapolis to be recognized as Donald R. Tapia TKE International Headquarters.

• A $1 million gift to the Foundation for Blind Children in Phoenix, Arizona

Community, Civic & Social

Ill. Tapia is also involved in the community. Other Civic & Social institutions he has supported both administratively and financially include: 

• Director in the Corporate Board, Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix; 1989, where he served as Finance Chairman. 

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix serves more than 16,000 members across the Valley and an additional 35,000 other youth in 27 Clubs, making it one of the largest Boys & Girls Clubs organizations in the nation and one of the largest youth-serving organizations in all of Arizona.

• Member of the Arizona State University Foundation & Endowment at Arizona State University.

The ASU Foundation Endowment Fund inspires and encourages the creation of excellence today with the assurance that their investments will fortify the university and its posterity, touching countless lives for generations to come.

• Director Sun Angel Foundation; 1991, as a member of the Finance/Budget Committee. Founding Director; New Home Education Foundation for Homeless Families. 

The Sun Angel Foundation supports student academic excellence and provides funding for the Intercollegiate Athletics Office of Student Academic Development comprised of scholarship support, tutorial services, compliance, post-eligibility scholars, the Freshman Year Experience and much more.

• Past Director Chamber of Commerce; Lake Havasu City, Arizona. 
  

The Chamber strives to promote the continuous improvement of the common good and the quality of life in the community through the pursuit of new business.

• Past Vice Chairman Finance Committee Arizona Republican Party; 1988 – 1992. 
  

The committee gives structure to the different levels of organization—local, county, and state committees—and establishes protocol for electing committee members.

• Past Director of the American Cancer Society; Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

The American Cancer Society’s local resources, programs, and events help those going through cancer in Arizona.

• Illuminating Engineers Society. 

The IES seeks to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public.

• Rotary International; formed Lake Havasu Rotary Club. 

The Club is a civic organization of neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who work together to Share Ideas, Take Action and Create Lasting Change in the Community.

• Member of the Development Committee for the Phoenix Zoo. 
  

The Committee develops and fosters positive relationships within the community and provides assistance in order to engage in effective and sustained wildlife and habitat conservation.

• Humane Society; Lake Havasu City & Phoenix, Arizona.  
  

The Humane Society has been dedicated to the rescue, care and placement of unwanted and homeless animals and the elimination of pet overpopulation.

• Past Chairman Multiple Sclerosis Society; Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 1985. 

The Multiple Sclerosis Society works to improve the quality of life for people affected by MS in and to raise funds for critical MS research.

• Past President Lake Havasu Community Fund. 

The LHCF provides health and wellness programs for the Lake Havasu City area through information, and education and early detection programs.

• Maricopa County Fair Board & Member of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Executive Posse. 

The goal of the Board of Directors of the Maricopa County Fair to make every attempt to provide the best competitive opportunity possible. The organization believes in doing all they can to provide an opportunity and venue for fair and ethical competition. 

• The Advisory Council of the Arizona Animal Welfare League.

The AAWL is a group of concerned animal lovers, whose mission is to create a world where there are no homeless dogs and cats.

• The Advisory Board for the Foundation for Blind Children in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Foundation for Blind Children serves the blind & visually impaired of all ages. As the only agency of its kind, FBC is an essential resource to families & children with blindness or low vision.

• The Teen LifeLine Phoenix.

The Teen Lifeline was developed as an innovative solution to address teen suicide in the Phoenix area.

• Emeritus Board Member of the RiteCare Childhood Language Center of Orange County. 

The Language Center provides a family-focused environment where children could learn to improve communication skills and build self-confidence. The Center provides diagnostic and therapeutic services to children from 2 to 16 years of age who exhibit a wide range of speech, language and learning challenges.

• The Tau Kappa Epsilon Educational Foundation, Saint Leo University.

The TKE Educational Foundation was established to support scholarships and leadership training programs which promote academic achievement and strengthen moral, social, and community values.

Mentorship 

• Mr. Tapia supported the Saint Leo’s University Board of Trustees as a member and later as Chairman.

• Don was recognized in 2014 by the Caring Institute for his charitable efforts. An organization dedicated to promoting the extraordinary and lasting efforts of individuals benefitting society.

• In 2015, The Midwest Regional Leadership Conference was renamed the Donald R. Tapia Regional Leadership Conference in recognition of his contributions.

• In 2016, at the Triangle Summit, Tapia challenged individuals to work hard, get involved and make a difference. At the end, he gave out his personal number for every participant in attendance. “If you ever need anyone, or need someone to talk to, you call me,” he stated.

• In 2017, Mr. Tapia received the Pope Francis Charity and Leadership Award.

• As the Ambassador to Jamaica, among many responsibilities, Mr. Tapia addresses natural disasters due to extreme weather events including hurricanes, storms, flooding and earthquakes that lead to losses in capital stock and investments. Working with The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), he strengthens a system by developing, financing and executing sustainable climate adoption approaches in the region. He supports and works with the Jamaican government to strengthen its preparedness for and resilience to severe weather events.

Recent Achievements 

• In 2021, the Past Grand Master of Michigan Mark Manning chose Brother Don Tapia to receive the first ever “Pillar of the Community Award.” This award is presented to a Michigan Mason in good standing with a history of public service and lifelong commitment to civic responsibility. Don has exhibited selfless commitment to his community with tireless action that includes serving on community boards and holding public office. He exemplifies in thought, word and deed the fundamental principles and virtues of Freemasonry.

A Masonic family

• Mr. Tapia was raised a Master Mason in November 1959 at Zion Lodge #1 F&AM in Detroit Michigan.
  
• Don received his Scottish Rite 32° on November 5th, 1966, his KCCH on October 6, 1997 and his 33° on October 3, 2001.

• His daughter Londa was a Jobs Daughter, Rainbow Girl and Daughter of the Nile. 

• His son Timothy was Senior DeMolay Legion of Honor, and a member of the Havasu Lodge 64 F&AM, member of the Valley of Santa Ana Scottish Rite, El Zaribah Shrine, and Royal Order of Jesters Court 17.  Timothy received his Scottish Rite 32° on July 10, 1993.

• Lastly, his son Mark was a Senior DeMolay, DeMolay Legion of Honor, member of Havasu Lodge 64 F&AM, Valley of Santa Ana Scottish Rite, El Zaribah Shrine, and Royal Order of Jesters Court 17.

• Ill. Tapia has two sons, Timothy & Mark, a daughter, Londa, five grandchildren, Brittany, Joel, Travis, Alexandria, and Garrett. He also has two great-grandchildren, a girl and a boy.

Education

• Tapia earned a B.A. and M.B.A. from Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, Florida.

• In 2014, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, for his dedication to the university and for his great vision and sound advice.

Remarks

Mr. Tapia has made a lifelong commitment to Masonry and philanthropies by making substantial monetary contributions that significantly impact our Craft and the community.