First Place, Ages 16-18
BRITTANY ANNE CLAIR, Pennsylvania

Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year: JAMES A. CLAIR

My dad, James A. Clair, is a former United States Marine. He served the United States from 1983-1987 on active duty. After 18 years of working a civilian job and raising a family, he decided to join the Army National Guard at the age of 40. He rejoined the armed forces last year, because he felt that with his education and experience, he could impact the Guard in a positive way.

My dad is a very committed person and will do whatever he can to help people and his country. From being a former Marine and now being in the Army National Guard, my dad has developed many skills and has been involved in some intense training. The skills and training have helped him to better himself for his business. Along with the National Guard my dad also owns his own business. He is the owner and instructor of Ultimate Defensive Driving School. He is dedicated to helping the youth drive defensively to protect them and their families behind the wheel. My dad uses the many skills he has learned from the Marines and the National Guard everyday when dealing with his students.

He also uses the people skills that he learned while on active duty and in the Guard to enhance the Cranberry Township Community Service Project. This project was developed and funded by him to help both young and old with their community service hours. Even though they got in trouble with the law, my dad wanted to see that they got a second chance. They were given this second chance so that they could better their lives and prove to themselves and the community that they are trying to get their lives back on track. He was there to guide them in the right direction.

While in the Marines and National Guard he has been taught to treat people with dignity and respect, which he does everyday whether it is at work or in everyday situations. My dad also motivates people. New drivers are apprehensive the first time they set out to drive, and my dad helps them to overcome their fears and their parents' fears by reassuring them that he will teach them all the safe ways of driving. As with any job there needs to be self-motivation and my dad certainly has it. It is hard starting up a business because it is a challenge to make it successful, but he is motivated to make it successful. That was a risk he was willing to take in order to make the streets a safer place for all. He gets himself up every day and wants to better the lives of the people in his community and the United States. You will never see a day when my dad wants to quit what he is doing; he loves what he does. He enjoys serving his country and his community.

My dad has done a lot for his community and country. Even at age 40 he is willing to go over to the Middle East and fight for his country. A number of people would think he is crazy for rejoining after 18 years of being inactive, but he did it. He wanted to give back to this country and make it a safer place for all citizens. My dad has always wanted to better himself and others, that is why I think he has done all of these things in his life: joining the Marines, joining the National Guard and starting up his own business.

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