POST FALLS - Glenn Vaughn had no idea that going back to school at age 40 could put him in front of the governor of the state of Idaho 20 years later.

As a successful businessman, he returned to school not to start a second career as a professional counselor, but to chase a passion.

"My wife was very supportive. I said it could take 10 years for me to finish a two-year program and I'll be 50 by then," Vaughn explained. "She said, 'In 10 years, you'll be 50 anyway. You come back from the sessions happier, in a better mood.'"

Vaughn smiles and adds, "You can see, she is very smart."

Vaughn was honored Thursday in Boise as one of the state's Brightest Stars. He received the Volunteer of the Year award in the individual category.

More than 100 outstanding volunteers from throughout the state were honored as stars by Gov. Butch Otter and first lady Lori Otter at the 10th annual Governor's Brightest Star awards ceremony at Boise State University.

As a volunteer at Hospice of North Idaho, Vaughn connected with a nurse, Chris Cruz, who encouraged him to take a counseling class.

"She got me going," he recalled. "I took the class and started counseling an HIV support group."

During the day, he was the proprietor of a successful automobile restoration company with Hollywood actor clients. The time and attention to detail he invested in restoration projects won him the Super Bowl of car shows - Pebble Beach. He traded book titles with Jay Leno's wife Mayvis in California, but during evenings in North Idaho he was a volunteer counselor.

That was in 1994.

Vaughn was nominated for the Governor's Brightest Star Award for the hundreds of lives he has taken his personal time to counsel these past 17 years at Dirne Counseling Center.

The award, according to a press release, recognizes him "for the sacrifice his family made while he paid for and attended classes as a student, for his absence at the dinner table as he continues to come in twice weekly to volunteer, and for his dedicated and selfless acts of service and kindness to the poor, the depressed, and the wounded souls of this community."

In 1994, with the help of his friend Skip Frazier, Vaughn started offering counseling to the uninsured at the volunteer Lake City free clinic.

"Glenn would meet with a client wherever there was room, in the closet or even the restroom," said Ginger Seamen. "He was a reassuring presence there. He is a loyal champion. First to jump in to help, and last to leave."

She said in the beginning, there were only two or three counselors and 15 people showing up.

"We were very careful not to turn people away, and Glenn would often stay until 10 o'clock," Seamen said. "He has a God-given talent to connect with people. He feels their pain."

After 17 years of dedicated connection with others for healing, Glenn is still hooked.

"I deeply admire my clients. They are my teachers, and how humbling is it to sit down with your teacher," he said.

He has connected with thousands of clients through the years.

"I love what I do. I get to be my best self two nights a week," he said. "I deeply respect the sanctity of my office, and really do consider it a Holy of Holies."

Vaughn pauses, then smiles.

"I'll be there until they carry me out by the handles - or get a restraining order," he said.