He's an attorney. A businessman. A husband. A father.

In fact, there isn't much Steve Anderson doesn't do.

"I think a lot of this helps me with my sanity because I tend to work a lot," Anderson said. "I'm extraordinarily lucky because I love what I do for a living .. I get to go to work every day and do exactly what I like and want to do."

Anderson opened a private law practice in 2004. That same year, he also established Hawkeye Settlement Services and bought Hawkeye Title Services.

He's also a volunteer. For about a 12 years, he has donated his time to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity helping close sales between the new owners and the organization.

"I've been involved since probably the second or third house that's been built, and we just closed on our 41st house," Anderson said. "Ironically, I've never swung a hammer for Habitat, but I've done a lot of the legal work behind the scenes.

"I believe strongly in the philosophy of Habitat, which is a hand up, not a hand out," he said. "I really believe in what I do professionally to help people and what that does for people to have ownership. I think this just does wonders for people's lives and is sort of a step in the process for them to hopefully have better and more rewarding lives."

Anderson also is vice president for the Visiting Nurse Association Board of Directors, a member of the Iowa City School District Foundation anniversary celebration committee and a board member of the Mercy Hospital Foundation.

Faith plays a huge role in Anderson's life. He and his family are active members of Parkview Evangelical Free Church. At the beginning of each day, Anderson reads a passage from Mother Theresa and a list titled "The 'Be' Attitudes."

Anderson said he carries those pieces of paper everywhere to help him prioritize his life. First is being true and faithful to God, then family, then co-workers and employees.

"If there's any secret to success to me, it's been having unbelievably good people around you," Anderson said. "And just outworking people."

- Mike McWilliams