Randy Morris believes in taking turns.

Through the years he has enjoyed attending many of the events of Steel Days, the annual American Fork city celebration. This year he is in charge of the event.

His philosophy is simple.

"We do things because someone needs to and it is our turn," he said. "I am happy to do it. I will be happy when it is someone else's turn."

Morris got involved at the request of Shirl LeBaron, the city councilman who oversees the Steel Days celebration.

"Randy has this unique ability to bring people together and organize and see all the little details of things that need to be done, almost like a symphony orchestra conductor," he said. "He is very intelligent and can understand and foresee possible problems and concerns, resolving them before they happen. He is smart and talented, and also a very good people person."

Morris's cheerful outlook has sometimes backfired.

Co-worker and long-time associate Brett Dansie told a story about a time Morris was driving down the street and everyone was waving to him.

"Randy is so friendly, so he just waved back," Dansie said. "He didn't realize he had his dog tied up to the bumper of his truck and it was struggling to keep up." The dog was fine and Morris maintained his friendliness.

"He is never scared of an adventure," Dansie said. "He moved his family back to New Jersey when they were all teenagers."

He also paid tribute to Morris's temperament.

"He is very willing to serve, and is always looking to improve his community around him," he said. "He expects nothing in return for his time and effort. He is honest, hard-working and very compassionate toward other people's needs. He is always willing to help."

Morris used that awareness of others' needs in preparing for Steel Days.

"We do a really good job appealing to young children," he said. "The picnic in the park, the big show, car show, burnout and cruise appeal to adults and families. But there wasn't anything specific for teenagers."

In years past, there had been a street dance for the teens, but Morris and committee members decided to try something different.

They are planning a skate tournament and battle of the bands at the city's new, nearly complete skate park.

"It will be a blast," Morris said. "There will be lots of activity and lots of fun. The winner of the battle of the bands will open the big show."

Morris was born in Tacoma, Wash., and his family moved to Orem when he was 16. He attended BYU, earning a degree in business and finance, and served an LDS mission in Indonesia. He and his high school sweetheart, Sherrie, have been married almost 28 years.

They moved to American Fork in 1988.

"It is a great place to live," he said. "It sure is changing, though. It is bigger and more complex. City government is facing big issues and big decisions. The schools are great, families are great."

When Morris isn't working or doing Steel Days business, he can often be found being a Scoutmaster.

"I go out with my best buddies in the world, my Scouts," he said. He also enjoys spending time with his three grandchildren, although they live out of state and he doesn't get to see them as often as he would like.

He has been a coach in several different sports, when his kids were involved, and afterward.