Don Johnson of Roscoe, IL is a businessman. He is also an inventor, a highly recognized salesman, an entrepreneur, a family man and a survivor. His story of success is one of inspired excellence.

Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Johnson moved to Rockford when he was four years old. His childhood was marked by hunger and abuse. By the time he was 15, Johnson's life was out of control. As a result, he would up in the Durand Boys Farm School. It was there that Johnson discovered the power to change his life for the better.

"When I went out there (Durand Boys Farm School) the staff members showed that they cared about me," says Johnson. "They treated me like they were my parents." Johnson responded with enthusiasm to the staff's leadership, earning school honors like Head of the Table, Dorm Daddy and Privileged Character. After 12 long months, Johnson was released from the Farm School with a sense of direction and a new attitude, "Everything that I would do for anybody I would try to be the best."

That philosophy has characterized Johnson's entire business career. As a sales rep for various companies - Pepsi Cola, Illinois Fruit and Product, Muller Pinehurst Dairy and Dierk's Foods to name a few - Johnson distinguished himself as a top seller. Over the years he has won countless sales contests and commendations. In October 1981 Johnson was chosen Salesman of the Month by Institutional Distributors Magazine. Most recently he was selected for inclusion in the 1995-96 edition of Who's Who in Executives and Professionals.

In 1985 Johnson decided to put his talents to use in his own business. He bought Fitz Dry Cleaners at 410 Mulberry St., Rockford, IL. Within four and a half short years Johnson and his wife, Judy, expanded the business from one location to 12, quadrupling the business' volume. But Johnson's heart was still in sales. "I'm an outdoor man," says Johnson. "I belong in sales, with people."

After selling his dry cleaning business, Johnson developed D.L. Johnson Marketing Group. The marketing business was just the challenge Johnson had been looking for. "With a marketing rep agency you continually take on items," says Johnson. "Some (items) work and if they don't you drop them and keep on working with new ones until you get items you're happy with. So you're always developing."

Through D.L. Johnson Marketing Group, Johnson markets products for companies like Electric Mobility. Much of Johnson's attention, through, centers around two innovative products which he invented, The Tournament Master and The Mobile Office. Johnson originally conceived The Tournament Master as a promotional tool for the sale of a shuffle ball game. But the idea of a reusable display board for tournament scoring caught on and The Tournament Master has gained notoriety all over the world.