“I didn’t want to work in a big law firm in Phoenix 10‑12 hours a day, plus the commute, and only see my kids on Sunday,” Boates said.

Instead, he decided to open a practice to get more involved with people.“Helping people makes me feel good. I love going to the Safeway grocery store and seeing 10 people I know,” Boates said. “You feel like you’re part of something.”

And part of something he is, namely, the community of Anthem. Boates was named “Anthem Small Business Person of the Year for 2005,” served as past president of Anthem Rotary, and was a founding member of the Anthem Chamber of Commerce.

As a partner in the law firm of Boates and Crump PLLC, Boates said he has done a lot of legal work at no charge for local nonprofits, including the local Booster Club and the Sheriff’s Posse.“And when helping people start up a business, it’s exciting to hear about all their great ideas,” he said.

Boates said under his tenure as Rotary president, the club raised and donated more than $100,000 to local causes last year. The group also supports an orphanage in Uganda.

Reach the reporter at kathleen@thedesertadvocate.com.