If a person must experience adversity to appreciate success, then G. Randy Nicholson (’59) should be one contented man.

“I know where ‘zero’ is,” says Nicholson, who grew up in a children’s home.  “It’s when you’re at a point in time of knowing that everything you receive is coming from somebody else…I always felt like regardless of whatever happened, I knew where I started from.  I guess it gave me more drive.  I know how fortunate I’ve been because God has blessed me more than I deserve.”

After high school, Nicholson hitchhiked to Dallas and found a job at a Safeway supermarket.  He later asked for a transfer to Abilene so he could study accounting at ACU.  He worked and attended school full time, and still graduated in four years. 

He began his business career as a CPA, served as president of E-Z Serve Inc. (which specialized in self-service gasoline at convenience stores) and AFCO, and is now chairman and president of Abilene-based AutoGas Systems Inc.

AutoGas pioneered a credit card pay-at-the-pump system, a concept Nicholson developed many years ago which has now gained wide acceptance.

Nicholson’s successful business ventures have been marked by close partnerships and friendships with several former ACU classmates, and he credits his alma mater for having a dramatic impact on the direction of his life.  “It began with friendships that were started at ACU,” he says.  “Without a doubt, it’s been one of the strongest influences in my life.”