What Inspires You? What Gets You Going?
from
November/December 2002
Joe B. Foster, 61
Chairman, Newfield Exploration Co., Houston
McDermott International, New Jersey Resources
I’m
a problem-solver. I love it when there’s a need to help a company get
turned around. I also like to learn more about other kinds of
businesses.
Jeffrey P. Gotschall, 53
Chairman, President, and CEO, Sifco Industries, Cleveland
National Processing
Trying to make sure that we’re concentrating on the big picture, the vision, the strategies for the next five years. Because it shouldn’t be what you’re doing next quarter; it’s what you’re doing the next five years.
|
Back Pats
33.7%
- Very Effective
|
A. M. Victory, 67
President and Director, AMEC Capital, New York City
Spherion
For me, it’s creative learning. That’s intellectually very, very stimulating.
Roger H. Kimmel, 56
Vice Chairman, Rothschild Inc., New York City
Endo Pharmaceuticals, Weider Nutrition International
I like new things. I like learning about different companies and their areas. So I enjoy looking at acquisitions. I also enjoy reminding people of what their duties are, and I enjoy the interaction when there are good directors. Frankly, I think many directors sit too silently. They don’t ask enough questions.
Robert J. Potter, 69
President and CEO, R.J. Potter Co., Irving, Texas
Cree, Molex
The learning experience.
Susan Golding, 57
CEO, Golding Group, San Diego; Former Mayor of San Diego
Avanir Pharmaceuticals, First Pacific Bank of California, Surebeam, Titan
As someone who served in public office, I look at my shareholders as constituents. You want to do well, so when you go to the shareholders’ meetings, everyone is happy.
James P. Hackett, 47
President, CEO, and Director, Steelcase Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan
Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Mutual Life
Pride is a great motivator. As a director, I like having pride in the performance of the company and, in turn, having pride in the quality of people I get to serve with.
Jack McGregor, 68
Of Counsel, Cohen & Wolf, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bay State Gas, Peoples Bank
I’m fired up by the devil’s-advocacy of it all. I like questioning the CEO and senior management. I like the sanity check.
Henson Moore, 62
President and CEO, American Forest and Paper Association, Washington, D.C.
USEC
I’m not a businessman; my background is in law and government. I’ve represented corporations as a lawyer and as a government official. It’s fun to be on the other side and see what you have to do to build shareholder trust. It closes the circle.
Jon Boscia, 50
Chairman and CEO, Lincoln Financial Group, Philadelphia
Hershey Foods
Going into every board meeting with the knowledge that there literally are millions of people who are depending upon you to look out for their best interest. That’s very stimulating.
George L. Miles Jr., 60
President and CEO, WQED Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Equitable Resources, Wesco International
It inspires me to watch how the inner workings of a company come together in support of a plan, how strategic vision plays out over the years. I enjoy that as much as anything.
Michaela K. Rodeno, 56
CEO, St. Supéry Winery, Rutherford, California
Silicon Valley Bancshares
When my fellow board members and I get together and start strategizing, it’s really stimulating, because it’s a great group of people from many different backgrounds, experiences, and industries. It’s almost like an atomic reaction—a bunch of ping-pong balls bouncing off one another. It’s a very enriching experience.
Paul Walsh, 51
Chairman and CEO, eFunds Corp., Scottsdale, Arizona
Intelligent Controls, Staples
To be able to interact with people that you have high regard for and think you can learn from.
Jerry E. Ryan, 60
Private Investor, Dallas
AAON, Global Power Equipment Group, Lone Star Technologies
I guess, to be really candid about it, there’s two parts. There’s the strategic part of putting different elements together. The less honorable part, but the more honest part, is that I like the stock options. Because that says, “What you’re going to get you’re really going to need to work for.” I wouldn’t serve on a board where the company was stagnant—where they were doing buggy whips, and they did 1,000 last year and expected to do 1,000 this year.
Lee Kling, 73
Chairman, Kling Rechter & Co., St. Louis
Electro Rent, Engineered Support System, Falcon Products, National Beverage
Quality people get me going. When you serve on a board with them, and you have the opportunity to discuss things back and forth, that can be a very worthwhile experience for both you and the company. And it also makes for a board that does its job well.
Dennis Foster, 62
Owner, Foster & Leonard, Lexington, Kentucky
Alltel, Nisource, Yellow Corp.
I like dealing with tough issues. I like a problem clearly stated and accompanied by all the known facts first, opinions second, and an assessment of the environment third. I like a challenge issued to the board to help develop a recommended action.
Christie Hefner, 49
Chairman and CEO, Playboy Enterprises, Chicago
Marketwatch.com
The belief that I am making a difference, that I am helping create shareholder value and long-term sustainable growth, that I am providing useful counsel to the CEO.
Linda Chavez, 55
President, Center for Equal Opportunity, Sterling, Virginia
ABM Industries
I am very interested in the interplay between public policy and the corporate world. That’s what I bring to a board. I don’t have business experience. I like seeing the way decisions made in Washington affect the different workings of corporate America and institutions. If more members of Congress had business experience, there might be different laws, or fewer laws.
William G. Oldham, 64
Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley
Cymer, Nanometrics
I am the technical expert on the board, so what gets me going are such issues as these: Does the company focus on its technical strengths? Does it see the great opportunities? Can it afford the R&D needed? I want to see a vision and see the company running after that opportunity.
Robert E. Mittelstaedt, 59
Vice Dean, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Innovative Solutions & Support, Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings
I love the challenge of working in a competitive situation. Every company has a few prime competitors that it worries about on a regular basis, and being a member of a board allows you to help management outwit the competition. That’s the part that gets you excited.
