First Green Bank President Paul Rountree is Celebrity Dancer at Stepping Out For Education Gala to Benefit Educational Foundation of Lake County

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- What would it take to get a bank president to endure 20 hours of dance lessons and then showcase his new tango, fox trot, rumba, cha cha and swing skills with professional dance partners at a gala dinner in front of some of the most influential people in Lake County? For Paul Rountree, president of First Green Bank in Mount Dora, the answer is education. Rountree plans to dance his way through the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat at 2013 Stepping out for Education, a gala dinner and dance exhibition to benefit the Educational Foundation of Lake County on Saturday, July 27 at Lake Receptions in Mount Dora. To purchase tickets for the 5:30 p.m. event -- $125 for general seating and $150 for preferred seating – which includes a five-course gourmet dinner, call 352-326-1265. Rountree is one of more than a dozen local celebrity dancers who will compete in a Dancing with The Stars format, no doubt to the delight of dinner guests. Rountree, who admits his dance skills are improving, said he plans to unveil a few new moves at Stepping Out for Education. “The wonderful thing about community service is that you can sometimes make a complete fool of yourself, have a great time doing it, and achieve something of real value anyway,” Rountree said. After 20 hours of dance lessons, Rountree said he’s up for the competition. “I’ve learned that dancing with a practiced partner is a lot different from watching someone dance. Once you learn the steps and commit them to muscle memory, it’s really kind of fun,” Rountree said. Rountree said he isn’t worried about missteps. “First of all, our partners are professional ballroom dancers, so they’ll help us look good. And second, celebrity ballroom dancing is a lot safer than celebrity bull riding,” Rountree said.