Today we’d like to introduce you to Stan Keith.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Stan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Born and raised in Dallas as the youngest of four, I found my early identity as a baseball player and headed off to the University of Oklahoma to play baseball. I never stepped on the field but met an amazing woman during my senior year that changed my life. Betsy and I were married in 1983, and we set out on an adventure together called life. We raised four daughters in today’s culture (challenging and expensive!), and now have four fabulous sons-in-law and four grandchildren as a beautiful reward. All along the Lord Jesus had a greater plan for me and my identity in Him.
I began my professional career at Arthur Anderson as a Certified Public Accountant and pivoted from that to more entrepreneurial pursuits when we co-founded a computer superstore concept in 1986-1987 called Soft Warehouse, quickly becoming one of the fastest growing private companies in the USA. I served as Chief Financial Officer as we changed the name to CompUSA in 1991, went through a public offering that year, and then refocused my life on building my family and my personal investment business for the next 21 years. Along the way, I tried to commit equal time to building an investment portfolio and to building and supporting Christian ministries, and a deeper relationship with Him.
The Lord prepared me for receiving a call from The Hope Center in 2012 to become their President and Chief Executive Officer. I now see that my years of accounting, entrepreneurial, investment and hands-on ministry support background prepared me for leading a team of dedicated professionals at The Hope Center to exponentially strengthen the impact of Christian ministries – every day.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was the youngest of four – my closest sister being eight years older than me. Therefore I watched my older siblings go through life and learn from their successes and missteps as well. Because of age differences, I experienced the death of loved ones younger than most people. I lost my brother from a disease when I was 19, and my Dad to cancer when I was 24. My wife lost both of her parents and a brother in the next several years, and those deaths pulled us together when it could have devastated us if we did not have a personal relationship with Christ. It taught me the preciousness of life, and of making the most of every single breath; each breath is a gift from the Lord. In the last six months, I have gained a son in law and two grandchildren, and lost a niece due to disease and her middle son, my great–nephew, due to a tragic auto accident. God’s grace is sufficient, in life and business/ministry challenges. In spite of our current earthly circumstances, God is still good, and still firmly on His throne of grace. We need to have a really big perspective and learn from each high and low – and trust that all things work together for the glory of God even when we don’t seem to understand.
Tell us about The Hope Center – what should we know?
The Hope Center is a one-of-a-kind 501(c)(3) Christian nonprofit. The 185,000 square foot Center fosters collaboration among its 40+ Christian nonprofits who have a common goal: to share Christ in North Texas and around the world. The Hope Center provides significantly reduced rent in a servant-minded culture, resulting in a partnership that pours over $2,000,000 back into the mission field annually. The Center also offers a variety of event rooms, which serve not only its 40+ tenant nonprofits but also countless other Christian organizations outside of The Hope Center. The Center hosts quality educational events for the community and supports the local and tenant non-profits as they share Christ to the world through their varied types of ministries.
Our tagline is “Multiple Ministries. Countless Stories. One Hope.” Through our impact to 40 plus ministries, there are literally thousands of stories of rescue that emanate from the thousands of people to people interactions in every age and stage of life across the planet. This is only made possible by the grace of a loving God through the Spirit of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, who alone is the One Hope.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think several characteristics are needed in a proper recipe for “success.” The first is initiative. We are all given some types of opportunities that we can either squander or accept the challenge and step out in faith. Success will not be given to us, but there are opportunities all around us to achieve something for good. Look for them – and go for it. The second is integrity. Our word must be our word no matter what – people in all walks of life must trust you when you say something, and that honesty must be diligently protected. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. The third is humility. We are given gifts from a loving God that are unique to each of us, so we don’t need to envy others’ gifts. Instead – we should work hard to use those gifts (and take initiative) but not be prideful that we have gifts different than others. Finally, and this one encompasses the others, is Leadership. We must be a leader to take people to new heights in their own careers and encourage them in using their gifts. In the way, we make others better, and more successful; we will be establishing the foundation for our own successes to manifest themselves.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 1700
Plano, Texas 75075 - Website: http://TheHopeCenter.org
- Phone: 972-212-9191
- Email: info@TheHopeCenter.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thehopecenter_/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehopecenter/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/hope_center
- Other: www.thehopecenter.org/media/stories-of-hope
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