To know Keith Perry as the successful business owner, family man, politician and philanthropist, it is hard to imagine him as anything but a straight-A student. Surprisingly, the conversationalist never liked the idea of sitting inside a classroom; instead, he was more apt to be caught daydreaming about all the exciting things he could be doing outside! Growing up in Gainesville, near what is now the Oaks Mall, Keith watched and became fascinated with all the development occurring right outside his neighborhood. Something about construction was an instant attraction to him. Before he knew it, upon graduating from Buchotlz High School, Keith jumped headfirst into the arduous field of roofing. Starting out with an old pickup truck and a wooden roofing ladder, Keith and his longtime friend, Tom Robinson, successfully roofed their first few houses. Keith made the hard decision to put his college plans on hold in exchange for the opportunity to start his own small roofing company in 1976. Without any business experience, and little to no finance or capital, Perry Roofing Contractors was off and running. “Starting a business at such a young age forced me to be incredibly disciplined in my work ethic and decision making. I made many mistakes along the way, but, I was determined to learn everything possible about the roofing industry and business in general,” Keith said. “For such a young person to be in that environment was an incredible learning experience and I can honestly say, I wasn’t always taken seriously. However, I never let that deter me from setting goals and growing the company.” Perry Roofing, which now has more than 70 employees, has given him the opportunity to work alongside some of the most reputable and outstanding Contractors in and around the Gainesville area. He feels incredibly blessed to have both professional and personal relationships with many of his peers in the Construction business. “The really nice thing about construction, roofing in particular, is that it is very tangible work; the idea that all the work that you’ve done with your hands, can result in a real finished product,” he said. “In one of the most difficult and often times unglamorous industries, you are providing one of the most basic necessities there is – shelter.” And as business grew, so did Keith’s family. He married Amy, a former gymnast and graduate from Auburn University in 1994. “She is number 8 in a family of 11 and therefore is extremely funny and entertaining,” Keith says of his bride of 20 years. “She just has a great personality. Amy loves people, and she is a very giving and compassionate person.” Once their children came along, Alexis now 17, and Amanda 14, Keith and Amy never gave a second thought to moving anywhere else to raise their daughters. The family lives on Biven’s Arms Lake, which Keith said is the perfect balance of country and city – located just two miles from downtown Gainesville. Keith notes the family never gets board entertaining the occasional cattle in their side yard (adjacent to IFIS) and watching the alligators cruise the water in their backyard. Having children is the driving force motivating Keith to work for change. Although he had been involved in politics on the periphery, he only considered seeking office himself a couple of years ago, after his longtime friend Sen. Steve Oelrich approached him. “He encouraged me to consider running,” Keith recalled. “I was flattered that he would think of me. After much thought and contemplation over the next several months, I decided to run because I felt it was a calling on my life.” Running for state representative in 2010 for a district that encompassed parts of Alachua, Levy and Marion counties, Keith faced a tough primary election against an Ocala native. After winning the primary, he went on to win the seat in the general election and took office in 2011. Just as becoming a roofing contractor was challenging, so was campaigning for office. “I like that there are quantifiable rewards and losses for your efforts, and so you always struggle with both success and failure,” Keith said. Keith approaches campaigning the same way he approaches running his business. “In both endeavors, you need to give it your all, and that, says Keith, requires a lot of your time and effort.” During the campaign season, Keith, a forever Gator fan, finds time to attend home football games with his wife and daughters as well as open weekends out at their lake house fishing and jet skiing. “Spending quality time with my family during an otherwise hectic campaign season is the key to surviving the demands of life in politics! The family also enjoys canoeing on the Suwannee River and taking camping trips together. “When I think about the uniqueness of this particular area of Florida, I am continually amazed at the overwhelming beauty of our many lakes, rivers and springs,” he said. “Most people outside of this area don’t know and can’t even appreciate the real beauty or history of these waters until you experience them for yourself.” Keith feels that “It is an important part of my responsibility as a State Legislator to work hard to maintain the natural beauty of this precious resource.” Aside from actively preserving the environment, he also believes:
- Government should create a pro-business environment that allows the job market to thrive
- Property taxes, corporate taxes and fees should be reduced by eliminating excess spending
- Government should invest in medical schools to help create the best doctors possible
One of Keith’s major goals is to strike a better balance between government and the protection of personal freedoms. “I think we’ve gone too far in the direction of collectivism or socialism,” he said. “You cannot have a society where we all have collective rights while keeping individual rights; it’s incompatible. “Every society throughout history that has veered from individual freedom and rights has either totally imploded or has become mediocre at best. America has proved what can happen when people are free; they can prosper or fail on their own. It’s not only good for the individuals, but it’s also good for society as a whole.” The foundation for Keith’s beliefs comes from his personal experience in business and his faith as a Christian. “I have a strong faith in God, and I am aware of both my fallibilities and my redemption,” he said. Keith was very instrumental in the creation and development of the House of Hope, a Christian-based rehabilitation program for newly released prisoners. Keith served as president of the organization for 14 years – until he began serving in office. Keith and Amy also help local causes in any way possible. For example, Perry Roofing has donated roofs for local Alachua Habitat for Humanity homes, the PACE Center for Girls’ expansion, the Boys and Girls Clubs and the Cotton Club. Perry Roofing has also donated roofing services for the Grace Marketplace. In addition to donating roofs, Keith is an active supporter of The Five Points of Life Foundation, an affiliate of LifeSouth Community Blood Center. “It is a blessing to be able to share our talents and resources in a way that truly benefits the community.” As a politician, Keith’s main goal is to serve the community as a whole, minimizing the size and scope of government while giving everyone the opportunity to succeed. “Many people are so busy with their lives that they put politics on the back burner, and their knowledge comes from sound bites or headlines,” Keith said. “My goal as a legislator is to be as open-minded as I can be, to learn as much as I can about our community’s diversity, and to make decisions that are best for our community as a whole.”