Don Carlson moved from Nebraska to Wharton in 1971 after attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney and Chadron State in the school of Business Management. He spent 25 years as Executive Vice President in sales, marketing, and advertising at Healthfocus, a locally owned and internationally operated Physical Therapy Company. During those years, he also owned a small insurance agency in Wharton. He served as Mayor of Wharton 1978-1986. He is a past president of the Wharton Lions Club, member of the Wharton Chamber of Commerce, past president of Wharton Economic Development Corporation, and is currently serving on the Wharton Junior College Foundation Board. He is licensed in Life and Health, Property and Casualty and Managing General Agent. Don and his wife, Susie, have four children and five grandchildren.