A Journey of Change and Challenge
After moving up the ranks of Spreckels Sugar Company, Douglas Lapins went on to lead their factory in Texas as they embarked upon the initial manufacture of high fructose corn syrup in 1973. In 1981 Douglas, became Spreckels operations and executive vice president and led a difficult downsizing. In 1985 Doug moved to Denver, Colorado as the first president and CEO of Western Sugar where he led the company out of bankruptcy. In 1992 he became a volunteer consultant to not-for-profit agencies and small businesses in Romania, Ukraine, and Peru.