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JACKSONVILLE, AL — The Jacksonville McDonald’s recently celebrated the college graduation of employee John California, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Colorado Technical University through McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity education program.
California serves as the restaurant organization’s Operations Technology Professional (OTP) Elite and Technology Director. He has been part of local owner-operators David and Merry Neisler’s organization since 2018.
Before joining the Neislers’ team, California worked for the Delligatti family, who are credited with creating the Big Mac. In his current role, he oversees technology operations and leads food cost initiatives across the organization. According to the Neislers, his coworkers affectionately refer to him as “the wizard” because of his ability to solve technical issues.
To recognize his achievement, the Neislers and the crew at the Jacksonville McDonald’s, located at 312 Pelham Road, hosted a graduation celebration on Aug. 4. The event included a surprise visit from California’s family and representatives from Colorado Technical University.
California is also expected to travel to Colorado to participate in the university’s commencement ceremony.
His degree was earned through McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program, which provides educational opportunities for eligible restaurant employees. The program offers tuition assistance and pathways to earn associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as access to high school diploma completion, English as a Second Language classes and academic advising.
“We are so proud of John, but not surprised as he is an outstanding employee and an inspiration to his fellow team members,” David and Merry Neisler said in a statement. “He is just one of the many employees changing their lives for the better within our McFamily. We are so thrilled to support his aspirations and have no doubt he will continue to go far.”
McDonald’s representatives said California’s graduation reflects the company’s continued investment in employee education and professional development through the Archways to Opportunity program.
OXFORD — After nearly four decades working with McDonald’s franchises, John California finally reached what he described as “the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Heflin resident recently earned a Bachelor of Science in information technology degree from Colorado Technical University through McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program, a benefit that allows eligible employees at participating restaurants to pursue higher education with little to no out-of-pocket cost.
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For California, 57, the degree represents five years of balancing a demanding career with coursework, research and family life.
California said the opportunity to go back to school came together at the right time.
“It was like the perfect storm,” he said. “The program was free because of the operator that I work for. David and Merry Neisler are just fantastic people to work for. They made it free for me. I don’t like to rest when it comes to knowledge. I like to keep learning.”
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California began working in the McDonald’s system during the 1980s with the Delligatti Organization, which manages several McDonald’s franchises, before advancing through the company’s Operations Technology Professional program. Today, he serves as director of technology for the Neislers’ McDonald’s Group and holds the distinction of OTP Elite, with only about 100 technology professionals held nationwide, according to Frank Kube, Neisler McDonald’s marketing manager.
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His responsibilities range from maintaining restaurant technology and digital systems to supporting day-to-day operations across a total of 17 McDonald’s restaurants, eight in Georgia and 9 in Alabama, California said.
Those demands often continued after business hours, according to his wife, Ariane California.
“Sometimes at 3 o’clock in the morning, his phone rings,” she said. “Technology can’t wait. If there is something that needs fixing, then he has to answer the call.”
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Even with those responsibilities, California carved out time for online classes, typically completing schoolwork during evenings and dedicating weekends to research and writing papers.
One professor, he said, left a lasting impression.
“She was very tough,” California said. “But she pushed hard. That made me want to excel more in her class than any other one.”
Scott Nuckolls, who oversees the McDonald’s alliance at Colorado Technical University, traveled from the Chicago area to attend California’s graduation celebration in Oxford. He said more than 2,500 McDonald’s employees are currently enrolled through the partnership and the university expects about 698 McDonald’s graduates this year.
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After 90 days of employment, eligible workers at participating restaurants can begin pursuing associate or bachelor’s degrees online at no cost. Students also can receive a laptop and academic support.
“It’s an amazing debt-free education benefit,” Nuckolls said.
California’s accomplishment has also become a source of inspiration at home. His daughter, Erin Cook, who plans to study software engineering, said watching her father complete his degree has helped prepare her for her own college journey.
“It kind of helped me understand what I’m supposed to be doing,” Cook said.
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Although California has already completed this accomplishment, he plans to go right back into it. He said he hopes to continue furthering his education and begin studying for a degree in artificial intelligence within the next year.