COLUMBIA, Tenn. -- The owner of six Burger King franchises in Maury, Marshall and Bedford counties, who began his American journey in the 1960s and whose life has become an endearing story of hard work and success, has been named the 2013 First Farmers & Merchants Bank Achievement Award winner.

Con Vrailas, owner of MAGIC Restaurants, Inc., will be given his award in an invitation-only ceremony in Columbia on April 26.

"Con Vrailas is a wonderful example of dedication and drive in attaining high goals in life," said First Farmers Chairman and CEO T. Randy Stevens. "Overcoming many challenges, he has beautifully demonstrated the American dream ... that it's possible for anyone to achieve great things in this country if you want it, are willing to work hard for it and stay true to your values. He's also a marvelous example of what our Achievement Award is all about."

Born in Egypt, Vrailas was educated in Greece and, later, in the United States. He used his food science education and background to land jobs at Beechnut Baby Foods in New York State in their Quality Control Department, and, later, at Morton's Frozen Foods in Virginia in the company's Quality Assurance Department monitoring and writing product specifications.

In 1972, a young, but growing, regional fast food company, Burger King, offered him a job at their Miami headquarters in product development, streamlining the company's supply line for beef, buns and French fries. By 1985, he became a Burger King franchisee in Shelbyville, later moving to Columbia, where he purchase his second Burger King restaurant.

Today, the entrepreneur has six Burger King restaurants in Maury, Marshall and Bedford counties and is involved with the community. He sits on the boards of Columbia State Community College, Maury Regional Medical Center Foundation, and the Kings Daughters School ,and has a program that encourages the continuing education of his teenage employees. He and his wife recently made a strong commitment to the Maury Regional Medical Center Cancer Center at Columbia Mall.

"This Achievement Award is a wonderful honor for me," Vrailas said. "A large number of people gave me opportunities to succeed and I've been fortunate that my hard work has allowed me to enjoy a good life and to be able to give back to the community. I truly believe in the power of a hard work, honesty, treating people fairly, helping people have a better life, education and doing what it takes to make it all a reality. I'm grateful that businesses like First Farmers believe in the same business principals as I do."

Launched in 2009, the First Farmers & Merchants Bank Achievement Award seeks to recognize individuals who have been quiet but effective achievers and whose integrity and successes are representative of both the American spirit and the values of First Farmers. Previous winners include Ricky Watson (2012), Brentwood's chief of police, Aubrey Flagg (2011), an associate professor of geography at Columbia State Community College, David Weathers (2010), a Major League baseball veteran and Lawrenceburg native, and Gwendolynne Smith Jackson (2009), a Knoxville veterinarian and graduate of Columbia secondary and collegiate schools.