Keeter, James W.

Family has always been important to me. My great uncle started a family business in 1926 and it stayed in the family for over 60 years, employing my father, uncle, aunt, cousin, and one of my brothers. One employee worked in the business from the age of 17 until he retired at the age of 78. But my father kept him on the payroll until he died at the age of 84 -- because my great uncle had made a promise to this employee that he'd have a job at the company until the day he died. We always had an extra connection to the family business because it was more than just a way to earn a living. It was also a way to live.

Through living and working in the same town for several generations my family taught me that my reputation for integrity and honesty is important and that, once sullied, it is rarely regained. And, of course, people were always the most important part of our business and other relationships. Of what value is a business that does not take care of its employees and customers? 'Praise in public, punish in private, and never shame a person,' my parents advised. Our lessons seemed to always be about respect -- about self-respect and respect for others - no matter how low or high a person's status. I was also taught to add value and to leave behind something better than what I found - and to do something constructive rather than to complain. Competitive sports also taught me these lessons through football, basketball, baseball, and track.

My father, who grew up on a small farm in Georgia during the Great Depression, always emphasized the importance of education. He was a wise and patient man who saved for his children's education and who took great pride in our educational accomplishments. When I earned my Navy "Wings of Gold" and was designated a "Naval Aviator", my parents, brothers, and sister all were there and congratulated me on 'making the family proud.' At the time, they did not know that, without their support and encouragement, I probably would not have taken that road of obligation and national service. When I attended the University of Florida College of Law I had recently completed my active duty military obligation, but remained in the reserves. During law school, again family was very important to me -- and this time, I was lucky to be married to Sandy, and to have the attentions of my daughter, Alyssa, who was born during my first semester of law school. My daughters, Rachel and Emily, have also helped keep me in line since the day they were born. Family. It's the source of my most valuable lessons - lessons that I try to bring to work as a lawyer each and every day .