William A. Nichols used the opportunities he had to learn all he needed to know to start his own business. As a youngster working at a hatchery in St. Johns; as a young adult working for the U.S. Quartermaster Corps; as a soldier during World War II; and as a company designer and sales and marketing representative, he gathered important information and retained key lessons. In 1967, he founded the W.A. Nichols Company, where he successfully designed, manufactured and marketed poultry and food processing equipment. Nichols is a member of the American Royal Association and shares his company’s success with youth and adults as a sponsor for many 4-H and youth events and demonstrations. For more than 25 years he served on the ARA Board of Governors. As industry changes led to new innovations in equipment development, he donated his company’s machinery to university poultry departments. He also continued to offer young people access and opportunities to learn more about poultry industry standards for processing and manufacturing. Before moving to Kansas City, he was honored with the Michigan Man of the Year Olin Award.