Jan and Don DeFosset
Don DeFosset earned his engineering degree from
Purdue University and his MBA from Harvard University.
Currently, Don is Chairman of ATL Partners, a private
equity fund in New York City, and he serves on the public
company board of directors of Terex Corporation, Regions
Financial Bank, ITT Corporation and National Retail
Properties. He is also the incoming chair of television
station WEDU and is the past chair of the University of
Tampa and the Tampa Sports Authority. He moved to
Tampa Bay in 2000 when he became Chairman and CEO
of Walter Industries.
His wife Jan was a teacher in secondary education and
held numerous educational administrative positions
within four states and has her degree in Vocational
Education from Purdue University and her master’s
degree in Education, Administration and Supervision
from New York University. She is actively involved in
numerous charitable and community organizations such
as Chiselers, a support organization dedicated to the
restoration and preservation of the Tampa Bay Hotel,
along with Red Cross Angels, Henry B. Plant Museum
and the Buccaneers Women of Red.
Don and Jan have been married for 42 years. They
have three children Don, Nicole, and Suzanne, and three
grandchildren, Wilhemina, Wesley, and Delphine.
At what do you excel?
Jan: Enjoying life with my family and friends.
Don: Balancing a hectic and ever-changing work/life
calendar.
What is your favorite word?
Jan: Love. I am a romantic at heart. Do what you love
and love what you do.
Don: Learning, as it never ends and keeps you
stimulated, in the game, and never finished.
How do you relax?
Jan: Reading. I am an avid reader and will do so
anywhere, anytime, any place. It is very enjoyable and
there is always something to learn through the process.
Don: Bicycling, tennis, golf and reading. Love Sudoko
for airplane rides.
Who is your role model?
Jan: Both my mother and my mother-in-law. They
were both important in forming my values, work ethics,
importance of family, and the necessity of community
service.
Don: In work, Larry Bossidy (former CEO of
Honeywell). In life, Maggie Thatcher for her role in
changing the Western World away from socialism.
154 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
photography by win wolloff
| JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Jan: Always do your best! Do so with honesty,
inspiration, integrity, and respect of others.
Don: Whatever career you pursue, be the best at it.
If it’s ditch digging or chairing a board of directors,
always strive to be the best.
What don’t people know about you?
Jan: I grew up in a rural environment in southern Indiana.
This is where I developed the core value of hard work and
to use common sense in my actions and decisions.
Don: Extensive background and interest in Western
Europe, having lived, worked and traveled there
extensively.
What are your favorite words of wisdom?
Jan: Always give your best effort in all your pursuits
and you should never have any regrets. Mistakes,
successes, and experiences are among the best tools in
learning.
Don: Be Here Now! We all think we can multitask,
but it does not work well and sends negative messages
to those around us.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Jan: Our wonderful marriage and the birth of our
three children and three grandchildren.
Don: Finding the right balance between work and life
aspirations.
What is your motto?
Jan: Never allow waiting to become a habit. Live your
dreams and take risks. Life is happening now. Enjoy!
Don: Learn, earn and return.
How do you think other people would describe you?
Jan: A person who loves family, friends and
adventure, is fun to be with, and always has a smile to
share.
Don: Hopefully positive and energetic.
What would you like to do that you have never done?
Jan: Sky dive with a Special Ops paracommander.
Don: Pilot an airplane (the engineer in me).
How would you describe yourself?
Jan: I am a person willing to listen and learn, and to
share ideas or advice when asked or needed.
Don: Open-minded, willing to learn and listen.
What would you like to be able to do that you can’t do?
Jan: Play the piano and guitar.
Don: Sing in a Broadway play. 9