Troy Templeton

Managing Partner, Trivest Partners, Coral Gables

Trivest Partners, with offices in Miami, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, is a private investment firm that focuses on founder and family-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 1981, it's among the oldest private investment firms in the Southeast. Templeton joined the firm in 1989, and since then it has grown to nearly 90 employees. He is chairman of Junior Achievement of Greater Miami.

EDUCATION: Stetson University (BBA, MBA)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: Improving the standard of living for the working and middle class by focusing on economic growth, increasing home ownership, reducing insurance costs, providing education opportunities and common-sense solutions to reduce medical costs.

READING: Any biography by Walter Isaacson. They all provide great insight into some of the most influential people in our history.

MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA: Ho Ho Ho — our family motto which stands for helping ourselves, helping others, and helping our planet. Before we can help others, we have to take care of ourselves through education, financial independence, health and wellness.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: Persistence beats resistance.