Who's Who: T. Robin Cole, III

President of The Rite Group

WHERE HE'S BEEN: Cole, 65, is originally from Pascola, Mo., and has a son, Rob Cole who lives in Georgia, and a daughter, Lauren, who lives in Golden, Colo. He has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, and now lives in Jackson.

WHERE HE'S GOING: "First, I will be driving growth expanding The Rite Group; second, I'll be flying myself to exciting places across America; and third, I'll be enjoying lots of undistinguished, fun golf in my leisure time. And I hope to be able to meet and then spoil some new grandchildren rotten someday." In the community, Cole says he hopes to see the Habitat for Humanity ReStore continue to expand and to see the program's production rate double and redouble again. "I believe the Public School Foundation's work with local teachers will put forward innovative and honest ideas for long-term solutions that improve the graduation rate at our public school. And I believe the levels of caustic, ground-level ozone in the air we breathe will come down to safer levels using affordable, job-saving, grassroots citizen interventions." On the future of his profession: "Office technology will continue to introduce productivity enhancements and new communication methods, which together will continue to enhance our local businesses' profitability in ways we are yet to dream."

WHY HE WAS CHOSEN: "Among other things Robin has been a leading force in the success of Habitat for Humanity," wrote Gera LeGrand. "He was a leader in establishing the ReStore, bringing new income to the program. He has also piloted a program with Best Buy to allow used refrigerators to be picked up when a new one is delivered, and the used one donated to the ReStore. This program is developing nationwide."

Robin's community involvement: My work with the boards and volunteers of two not-for-profits (Habitat for Humanity and the Public School Foundation) and my work with the Department of Natural Resources (Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee) on air quality issues are opportunities that let me spend a portion of my life doing some good in the service of others. I served as president of all three this year.