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Man's Outlook Inspires Co-Workers

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By DIANE LOEBEL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2008

WHO: Richard Racine

CLAIM TO FAME: Overcoming physical disabilities, he dedicated 21 years to the call center at Bisk Education before retiring at 75.

ACCOLADES: "Richard is a long-standing dedicated employee with a very positive mental attitude," said Ed Datz, vice president of sales of University Alliance, a division of Bisk. "He is an inspiration to all who work with him in the call center."

AWARD PRESENTATION: Racine received a plaque and a gift at a Jan. 7 retirement party with company executives including Nathan Bisk, who founded the online learning provider. A smaller reception was held that afternoon in Racine's department.

SOME BACKGROUND: A New Hampshire native, Racine became a permanent Florida resident 32 years ago and lives in Dade City.

The move came 25 years after he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. He was taken to the hospital in a hearse because the small New Hampshire town didn't have an ambulance.

Although he wasn't expected to live, Racine relied on willpower and a positive attitude to prove medical experts wrong. He lost the use of one arm and hand and spent a long time in rehabilitation, but that didn't deter him.

Racine has worked in telephone sales for more than 30 years, handling life insurance for a while and recruiting a group to raise money for the Police Benevolent Society.

Then he found Bisk Education, which provides professional training to the accounting industry and to business executives.

Racine was 53 when he applied for a job as a telephone sales representative at Bisk. Datz had qualms about hiring Racine because of his age, disabilities and lack of knowledge about the product he would be selling. But he gave Racine a chance and is glad he did.

At the time, Bisk was headquartered in Gainesville and Racine lived in Chiefland. Datz recalls a time when Racine's land flooded and his wife rowed him to his car so he wouldn't miss work.

Another time he had a flat tire on the way to his job, changed the tire with his good arm and hand, and was only a few minutes late.

The company moved its headquarters to the Brandon area in 1988, and Racine went with it, eventually settling in Dade City.

"Richard is an inspiration to me," Datz said. "He proves what one can do with a positive attitude."

Over the years, that outlook has spilled over to younger co-workers through his kind words, friendly nature and determination.

WHAT'S NEXT: Racine would like to visit friends in Alaska and Australia. He likes to fish and plans to wet a line on Lake Okeechobee from a friend's pontoon boat.

HIS PARTING QUOTE: "I enjoy everything I do and can't stay still very long. It will take some time to accomplish all the things I want to do, but I have the time and the determination."

Want to suggest an Everyday Hero? Contact Diane Loebel at (727) 815-1081 or e-mail dloebel@tampatrib.com.

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