Attorney Donald R. Vaughan, Greensboro, North Carolina

August, 2007

 Ask anyone about their knowledge of Don Vaughan and you’ll get the same answer every time, “he’s a brilliant man with endless energy . . . always on the move”. In fact, catching up with him for an interview required major planning and lessons in “quick step”.

His normal work week begins well before 6:00 a.m. on Monday morning, extending into evening hours and weekends.  Last week he represented clients in four different North Carolina courthouses, a large internet corporation for two days of negotiation in Los Angeles, California and squeezed attendance at numerous civic functions.

Vaughan, 54, born in Greensboro, North Carolina is a true “Southerner”. As he talks about the future of North Carolina his passion for the south is apparent. He reminisces about his childhood growing up in Greensboro and confesses he is an avid lover of beach music, southern food, southern sports and southern people.  Vaughan talks about his involvement in tournament sport fishing and training his one-year-old Labrador retriever in “Field Trial” competition. His zest for life and love of North Carolina began at an early age and continues to this day.

At the age of 9, Vaughan’s father passed away, forcing him to give up some of his childhood activities. Like many pre-adolescent boys, Vaughan became a business owner, mowing lawns after school and in the summer time for neighbors close by. But, Vaughan extended his youthful endeavor throughout the neighborhoods of Sunset Hills, Lindley Park and College Park, mowing a large portion of western Greensboro! At the age of 14 he secured his first job with the City of Greensboro, as a Playground Director for College Park playground earning $.90 an hour.

He received a scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During his college career at Carolina, he maintained his high academic scores. In 1974, he received recognition from the faculty of Carolina as the first student to be awarded “Highest Honors in Speech”.

After graduating with highest honors from the University of North Carolina, he moved to Washington D.C. where he earned a masters degree in Government and Public Administration from the American University. He also was awarded a University Lectureship to teach undergraduate political science during that time.

In looking back over his career, Vaughan says, “I went to Washington to seek my fortune”. Following the conclusion of the Watergate hearings, he sat on the doorstep of United States Senator Sam Ervin from Morganton, hoping to be hired as legislative aide by the new United States Senator to take his place!

            He was hired as a legislative clerk to United States Senator Robert Morgan in Washington in 1975 at the age of 23 and served two years while attending graduate school at night.

Returning back to his native North Carolina, Vaughan was accepted into law school at Wake Forest University where he earned his law degree in 1979. He worked his way through law school in the department of corporate public affairs at R.J. Reynolds.  He became a member of the Wake Forest Law Review.

Following completion of law school he worked as an attorney in the Office of the Governor’s Economic Advisor in Raleigh. Later he became Vice President of Government Affairs of Stedman Corporation, the world’s largest private underwear manufacturer. 

Upon his return to his hometown of Greensboro, he established the law firm of Donald R. Vaughan and Associates. He returned to school once again as an adjunct professor in the Master of Public Affairs graduate school at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro at night, teaching lobbying and governmental affairs.

Vaughan has lobbied the North Carolina General Assembly for various entities since 1976.  He has represented clients ranging from R.J. Reynolds, Inc., Cone Mills, Southern Bell and Stedman Corporation to the National Solid Waste Management Association and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, to name a few.  He is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, American Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar Association and is licensed to practice in all Federal Courts and the United States Supreme Court.

            Vaughan served fourteen years on the Greensboro City Council and four years as Mayor Pro Tem.  He has also served on numerous governmental affairs committees, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Bar Association, and the North Carolina Textile Manufacturers Association. In April 2006, Vaughan was honored by The Greensboro Bar Association for his public service.   

            With his vast knowledge of the law and skills as an educator, Vaughan has written legal articles for the North Carolina Bar Quarterly, North Carolina Magazine, and for the National Association of Attorneys General.

            Currently, he is the Governor’s appointee to the State Banking Commission and serves on the Board of Wachovia Bank and the Board of Visitors at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.

Throughout his law offices on Friendly Road, in downtown Greensboro, Vaughan proudly displays pictures of his wife Nancy and six-year-old daughter Catherine.  In his lobby, pictures taken of Vaughan with national celebrities, North Carolina Governors and United States Presidents are displayed along with memorabilia of a lifetime of achievement.

Vaughan sites one of his proudest moments as having Governor Jim Hunt pardon Joe Kennedy, a Burlington Industries executive. Kennedy wrongfully served fourteen years in prison. The pardon was Governor Hunt’s last act as Governor of North Carolina.

Keith Holliday, a friend of Vaughan’s since children said he is amazed at Don’s evolution as he grew from a fun loving teenager, to a cheerleader at Carolina, to an extremely responsible member of the Greensboro community.  “He serves as an elected official on numerous boards and commissions and he has always kept Greensboro’s progressive future in the forefront of his activities. Greensboro is so fortunate to have an ambassador like Don Vaughan represent us”, said Holliday.

            According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Greensboro in 1960 was 119,574. Today the City of Greensboro Planning Department estimates the 2006 population has grown to 240,955. Through his work as an attorney, his seven terms on Greensboro City Council, investment in community development and involvement in community civic groups, Vaughan has worked hard to contribute to the growth of Greensboro and North Carolina.  His work as a leader has helped to make his community a better place to live.

             With a passion for North Carolina, a zest for life and remarkable success, the staff of NCwho.com is proud to present Donald R. Vaughan as our first “Featured Professional” in NCwho.com.

Thank you Don Vaughan!