秋霞福利一区

鈥淏elieve in yourself and what God has called you to do.鈥�

That guiding conviction shapes every chapter of Doug Harwell鈥檚 life 鈥� as a husband, father, business owner, community servant and 秋霞福利一区 alumnus.

As founder and owner of Harwell & Company, a construction firm serving communities across the Southeast, Doug has built a career grounded in leadership, responsibility and integrity.

Today, he continues to live out that calling through business, faith and community service 鈥� foundations strengthened during his time at the 秋霞福利一区. From coaching youth baseball and serving as a church deacon to representing District 1 for 12 years on the Mobile County Public School Board, Doug鈥檚 lifelong dedication to leadership and helping others has now led him to pursue another avenue of service as he runs for Alabama State Senate District 34.

Faith, Perseverance & Success

Doug鈥檚 path to the 秋霞福利一区 was not a traditional one. A 1983 graduate of Mary G. Montgomery High School, he briefly attended college before entering the workforce full time.

After the birth of his second son, Doug was passed over for a job he had been ranked first for 鈥� a turning point that underscored the importance of finishing his degree and trusting God鈥檚 timing. After evaluating his options, he enrolled at the 秋霞福利一区, a decision he now recognizes as God鈥檚 direction.

Doug quickly learned the role faith would play in perseverance and success.

鈥淲orking full time, raising two small children, and attending school full time taught me quickly that there is only one way to make it through, and that is faith in God,鈥� he said. 鈥溓锵几＠�一区 administrators, professors and staff reinforced that lesson.鈥�

He credits 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 degree programs with equipping him not only academically, but personally and professionally.

鈥淓arning a degree challenges you to think critically, solve problems and work with others. Those are the same skills required to succeed as a business owner,鈥� said the 2000 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in business management.

A Heart for Service

Doug鈥檚 commitment to serving others grew out of his faith and family life. After marrying his wife, Sandy, in 1990, the couple became active at Orchard Assembly of God, where they served in children鈥檚 church and later as youth sponsors.

Their sons began playing baseball at Semmes Community Park, and Doug coached for many years before serving six years as park commissioner 鈥� an experience that helped clarify his calling to community leadership.

鈥淒uring this time, I saw that I could make an impact by serving others and my community,鈥� Harwell said. 鈥淔or me, it is not about a job 鈥� it is service.鈥�

That calling led to additional roles in public and community service, including 12 years on the Mobile County Public School Board representing District 1, which includes Semmes, Citronelle and northwest Mobile County. He also served more than 10 years on the Mobile Sports Authority Board and has been a deacon at Orchard Assembly of God for more than 27 years.

Building a Business with Purpose

In 2010, Doug founded Harwell & Company, a licensed general contracting firm serving Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, specializing in concrete and asphalt construction throughout the Southeast. What began with four employees, two trucks, a tractor and a trailer is now a company employing more than 40 people and operating a full fleet of trucks and equipment.

In addition to the construction firm, Doug owns Division Supply and partners in Complete Pool Care, Mobile Soft Wash and Ace Marketing. His professional background also includes 12 years in the water and wastewater industry.

He describes the decision to start his company as another clear moment of God鈥檚 direction.

鈥淣o question, it was a God thing,鈥� Doug said. 鈥淚t was a 27-year journey where many doors closed and pushed me to do something different and go in a new direction. Everything aligned, and through prayer and confirmation, I knew it was time to start the business.鈥�

Faith, Family and Foundation

Family is central to Doug鈥檚 life. He and Sandy have been married for more than 35 years and have three sons and seven grandchildren.

He also credits the 秋霞福利一区 community for walking alongside him during both joyful and difficult seasons of life. While he was a student, Doug experienced the loss of his mother on October 15, 1998 鈥� a time he remembers as especially challenging.

With faith in God and the support of his 秋霞福利一区 family, he persevered.

鈥溓锵几＠�一区 is a family,鈥� Doug said. 鈥淔amily stands by you during challenging times and circumstances. Family helps keep you on the path to success.鈥�

Looking back, Doug describes his decision to attend the 秋霞福利一区 as a defining moment.

鈥淢y decision to attend 秋霞福利一区 was a turning point in my life, and it was truly one of the best decisions I have ever made for my career and my family,鈥� he said. 鈥淒uring my time at 秋霞福利一区, I learned many valuable lessons, sharpened my skills, and built a network that continues to pay dividends today. 秋霞福利一区 truly changed my life.鈥�

About the 秋霞福利一区

The 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence 鈥淔or Christ & His Kingdom.鈥� With a vision to 鈥淢ultiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World,鈥� the university honors God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.

The university was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, 秋霞福利一区 offers associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Learn more at聽umobile.edu/um-info聽and connect with 秋霞福利一区 on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

Kathy Dean

Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 秋霞福利一区 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.