Landing at the Top: How Embracing Adventure Leads to Extraordinary Success

Born and raised in Southern California, David R. Jackson embraced an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. When he was 12, he began his first paying job as a paperboy for the Anaheim Bulletin and throughout his teens, he worked at several jobs, including as a janitor for Fairmont Schools, a gas station attendant, and an aircraft refueler. He earned his private pilot license at 16, but not before his first solo flight that turned into a rather harrowing experience. Upon graduating from high school, David’s adventuresome nature took over and he embarked on his dream of traveling the Americas to ski. With two friends, he traveled down the Pan-American Highway to Chile, across the Andes to Argentina, and then to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before heading back to California. This trip ignited his passion for travel, and he vowed to tour the world and ski in as many countries as possible.

Returning from this adventure to South America, David attended college at Brigham Young University and skied on the race team for one year before being asked at age 20 to temporarily manage a ski lodge in Park City, Utah for the summer. This turned out to become a full-time position during which he was also made Vice President of the Park City Hotel Association while attending BYU part time. He left Park City 3 1/2 years later and spent a year driving through Europe, the Middle East, the Soviet Union, and Scandinavia to ski and see the world.

Upon returning from his travels, David started a successful aircraft cleaning business and an RV rental company before taking over the presidency of the National Environmental Distribution Company. After selling his businesses a decade later, he became the Business Manager of Fairmont Schools and was soon promoted to Director.

A man of tremendous vision, David dove into his position at Fairmont, starting new classes and then acquiring and building new campuses. He later expanded Fairmont’s reach by creating the Fairmont International Academy. Dedicated to serving the educational community, he served with the Boy Scouts of America, the Orange County Department of Education Committee for George H.W. Bush’s America 2000 and served as President of the California Association of Nationally Recognized Schools. He was instrumental in creating the Orange County Private School Association, and the National Independent Private School Association, serving as President for years in both.

A man of faith, David served the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) in almost every leadership position over a period of five decades. He and his wife, Stacey, served several humanitarian missions in Russia and Eastern Europe while he continued his work at Fairmont Schools as Chairman of the Board. In 2023, he sold Fairmont to the International Schools Partnership ISP while retaining ownership of all the Orange County campuses. Presently, he holds the title of Chairman of Fairmont Schools.

Now semi-retired, David and Stacey spend much of their time in philanthropic endeavors, working closely with the Orange County educational community. He and Stacey recently celebrated their 52nd anniversary and reside in Orange County, where they enjoy visiting with their five children and 13 grandchildren. Skiing and traveling continue to be his passion, and he and Stacey are committed to growing their list of over 120 countries visited so far.