My Dad

My Dad is helping to get Georgia State Football Program off the ground. He has had so much fun being in the middle of it I think. Just read this article and wanted to share. He is a special and important man to me. There just aren't a whole lot of men out there like him!

Panther Club Spotlight
Release: 01/02/2009

Courtesy: Georgia State Sports Communications
David Deeter

From his 19th floor office in the Bank of America Plaza, David Deeter recalls how far he’s come since his humble beginnings in Mableton, Ga. He insists that he’s “still just a southern guy.”
“I was the first person in my family to go to college,” he said. “My dad, Derwin was an encourager and a motivator. He always pushed me and believed that I could succeed. He was a Christian man who taught me Christian values.”
Deeter proudly displays a letter written by one of his father’s customers that commends Derwin’s performance as a Western Union delivery man as ‘leaving the impression of being happy to serve.’ “That’s quite a compliment, and a great motto for just about any business.”
Deeter graduated from South Cobb High School, and went on to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s from Georgia State University. “I played soccer at Georgia State for one quarter, under Coach Stoney Burgess,” Deeter explained. “I thought about leaving school once, but Coach Burgess convinced me to stay.”
He chose to major in accounting because he “heard that accountants made good money and worked with business people,” and he knew that accounting was “the language of business.” Deeter graduated from GSU at age 22, finishing both of his degrees (MBA and BBA) in only four and a half years. His typical day consisted of going to classes from 8 a.m. till noon, then working from 4 till 10 p.m. at Austell Boxboard, weighing in trucks.
The accounting firm of Main Hurdman, a predecessor to KPMG, hired Deeter after graduation. It was there that he met his current business partner, Jim Frazier. “Jim and I started Frazier & Deeter in July of 1981. It was just the two of us and a secretary.” The company now employees over 180 people and is recognized by Accounting Today as one of the top 100 accounting firms in the country.
Among his many outside interests, Deeter is a staunch supporter of Georgia State Athletics. “I remain involved with Georgia State because of my love of sports and my love for the school. Athletics is a great way to market the entire school, not to mention how it improves the quality of education and how it adds to life experience.”
Deeter is committed to supporting Georgia State Football, and encourages other alumni to do the same. “We have to raise a lot of money for GSU football. The addition of this sport has re-energized my love of sports.”
As he recounts the people who have inspired him, Deeter credits his father as being one of the most influential people in his life. “My father definitely had a big impact on my life. My friendships with Jim Frazier and with Dr. Jim Lyon have also had a great effect on me, also. Most importantly, his wife, Cantey, has been a great supporter and partner. I try to read the Bible every day, and I try to mentor my children to instill in them the same values that my dad instilled in me.”
Deeter and his wife Cantey, whom he met on a blind date, have four children—Nathan, Katie, Emily and Camilla. When he’s not working or attending a Panther athletics event, Deeter enjoys the idea of an integrated life: spending time at his lake house, playing golf, attending church activities and following college sports. He even admits to posting on a college sports message board or two. Not to worry, David, we won’t include your online nickname!