Dean Horn (right), president of Bellefontaine, Ohio, distributorship Rath Information Systems, has served as president of the Logan County, Ohio, chapter of Habitat for Humanity International for five years.

Dean Horn doesn't quit. He has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity International since 1992 and has served as president of his local chapter for five years. "Typically, a president only lasts a year because of all the complications and the stressfulness of the position," he says. "I guess I pride myself on being president the longest here in Logan County."

Logan County is located in west-central Ohio, where Horn is president of Bellefontaine, Ohio, distributorship Rath Information Systems. He works in a modest, gray building surrounded by cornfields. He faithfully leads a laundry list of local groups, including the chamber of commerce, a choral society, a retirement center and various hospital committees. "I'd rather be the one who can call the shots," he says. "I've always been that way."

With a matter-of-fact attitude and a flat, Midwestern accent, Horn typically sticks to topics of substance. He's a veritable fountain of information about his community. Bellefontaine, he will proudly tell you, contains the Logan County government office and the highest point in the state.

Habitat for Humanity is one of Horn's favorite groups. Founded in 1976, it's a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian organization that builds houses for people with low incomes. The group sells houses at no profit with no mortgage interest, requires that homeowners and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision, and solicits donations from outside groups and individuals. Habitat for Humanity chooses recipients according to their need and ability to pay mortgage.

Horn is one of the charity's more than 1,900 local liaisons worldwide. As president of his chapter, he runs board meetings, facilitates discussions, coordinates bills and agendas, and gives speeches. "It involves everything a small business does," he says. Horn says the job reminds him of the importance of continuity. "Year after year, I ask if there's anybody who would like to become president and keep us organized, and nobody steps forward," he says. "I really feel that if I step down at this time, it won't continue."

Horn's involvement with Habitat for Humanity has become a family affair. His wife serves on the chapter's Nurture Committee, which helps homebuyers with emotional transitions and additional touches, such as interior decoration. On occasion, when Horn works on a home directly, he enlists the help of their 10-, 12- and 13-year-old children. "They need to learn that it's important to help people who are in need," he says.

Horn once was on the receiving end of others' assistance. He grew up just 15 miles away from Bellefontaine, in the town of Belle Center (population "800 strong," he says). His parents divorced when he was young, and his mother reared five children while on welfare. Looking back, Horn says he realizes that an entire network of people helped his family get by. "I feel that I've been blessed," Horn says. "I felt a calling that I needed to get more involved." Helping Habitat for Humanity brings him satisfaction. "When you hand over the keys to the family, there's emotion and joy that they have a home of their own," Horn says.

Once, Horn helped with a day of hard work on a house. When the job was complete, he joined the weary but proud new homeowner for a walk. "We were walking side by side and went a distance from the home and turned around," Horn says. "And he said, 'Ain't that pretty?'" To Horn, that simple statement was the best reward for a job well done.

—Rita Tiefert