October 4, 2018, Auburn Alabama – Don Machen was honored Saturday, September 29, 2018, at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Don received The Walter Gilbert Award, which is presented annually to a former Auburn student-athlete who has demonstrated excellence in their chosen field.
Don Machen, a Co-Captain for the Tigers his senior year in 1961, also received the Bill Streit Award and the Cliff Hare Award while attending Auburn.
Don came to Auburn, Al. in 1958 from Sylacauga, AL. Sixty years, three children and nine grandchildren later, Don and Jane Machen still enjoy life right here in Auburn. After Don earned his accounting and MBA degrees, he helped create Machen McChesney, a CPA & advisory firm that has served clients well for more than 60 years in Auburn and the surrounding communities. Machen McChesney was recently recognized by INSIDE Public Accounting as one of the top 400 firms in the nation and by Business Alabama for one of the largest accounting firms in Alabama.
Along the way, Mr. Machen epitomized community involvement, serving in leadership roles on virtually every board in town as well as state and national professional organizations.
Reflecting on his six decades in Auburn, Machen thanked many who invested in him, the first person being his wife Jane Machen. Machen had this to say “I was accompanied on this journey with a solid rock in the foundation of my life and career by my wonderful, loving wife Jane. She has not only been my guiding light for 58 years but the mother of my loving children Mindy, Melanie, and Mike and grandmother to 9 wonderful grandchildren.”
"I was blessed to attend Auburn University in the era of some of the greatest coaches in our athletic history. It started with my head coach, Ralph Jordan, and continued with a staff of assistants; my freshmen coach, Erk Russell, varsity coaches Vince Dooley, Buck Bradberry, Gene Lorendo, Hal Herring, and Joel Eaves just to name a few. These men taught me so much more than just football. They taught me the basic fundamentals of life and gave me a strong base to begin my career."
"I want to thank all the people in my life that have made receiving the Walter Gilbert Award possible. It is certainly a great honor to be on this list with the previous recipients and an award that I will always cherish. Thank you to the Auburn University athletic department and to all the great Auburn Family."
About Don Machen
Don L. Machen has practiced public accounting in Auburn, Alabama, since September 1963. In January of 1965, he became a Partner in the firm of McChesney and Machen, Auburn, Alabama. In 1983 Don Machen became the Senior Partner of the firm Machen, McChesney & Chastain, LLP. The firm today Machen McChesney, LLP is a regional accounting and business advisory firm. The firm has 21 certified public accountants and a total staff of 44 between the two offices located in Auburn & Montgomery, Alabama. Don Machen retired from the firm in 2002 and continues to consult for the firm.
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