What Directors Do in Their Spare Time
from March/April 2008
Harried as board members’ schedules can be, there is life outside the business world. Here’s a sampling of the hobbies some directors pursue.
Eating High on the Hog
I’m a foodie, a serious foodie, and I hired myself a personal chef. He made me a promise that no matter how long he worked for me, he’d never serve me the same meal twice unless I asked him to—and he never did in the five and a half years he was with me. The other thing the chef did for me was teach me to see the possibilities for my table. I have a farm where I’m now raising pigs to improve the quality of pork. At one point I was selling the bacon we’d raised.
G. Chris Andersen, 69
Founder and Partner, GC Andersen Partners, New York City
Outside directorships: Millennium Cell Inc., Terex Corp.
Say Cheese for a Big Cheese
I’m pretty serious about photography, and I’ve had quite a few international exhibitions, mostly landscapes and portraits. In high school and college I worked in a camera store on weekends and vacation. I’ve been interested in photography ever since.
Peter D. Behrendt, 69
Former CEO, Exabyte Corp., Boulder, Colorado
InFocus Corp., Western Digital Corp.
Can You Hear Me Back There?
I have been doing amateur dramatics—community theater. And I love the New York Yankees.
Peter S. Shaerf, 53
Managing Director, AMA Capital Partners, New York City
General Maritime Corp., Seaspan Corp., TBS International Ltd.
Let’s Put On a Show
I used to be a dancer, and my dancing and my love of theater has now given me another profession. I just produced my first show, Eugene O’Neill’s play A Moon for the Misbegotten, with Kevin Spacey.
Louise C. Forlenza, 58
President, Louise Forlenza CPA PC, Mamaroneck, New York
Innodata Isogen Inc.
Wine from the Vine
Viticulture.
Michael J. Dolan, 59
President, Dolan Cos., Marshall, Minnesota
Fastenal Co., Mattel Inc., New Technology Resources Inc.
Pop One for a Winning Hand
I enjoy champagne-cap collecting and poker.
David J. S. Flaschen, 52
Partner, Castanea Partners, Brookline, Massachusetts
Paychex Inc.
Play It Again, Art
Golf, but I’m not very good at it. It’s like Mark Twain said, “A good walk spoiled.” And music. I play the piano and sing in a choral group.
Arthur R. Medici, 58
Director and Former COO, EasyLink Services International Corp., Norcross, Georgia
Happy HandyMan
My favorite is woodworking. I don’t have enough time, but I like to build furniture. I built a “rocking truck” for my grandson and am working on a dollhouse for my granddaughter’s birthday.
Sanford L. Kane, 65
President, Kane Concepts Inc., New City, New York
Multi-Fineline Electronix Inc.
Rock On, Dude
I’m an old rock ’n’ roller from the ’60s, and I’ve built this little music-management business, BSA Management. I manage a band called Heartsfield. Over the years they’ve sold a couple million records. I also have a family-oriented music act called Little Nashville. I spend some spare time working with these acts.
Richard A. Reck, 58
President, Business Strategy Advisors, Hinsdale, Illinois
Advanced Life Sciences, Interactive Intelligence, Merge Technologies
Give grandpa a great big smile
With 14 grandchildren, you’re kept pretty busy....
Mark R. Bernstein, 77
Formerly Of Counsel, Parker Poe Adams Bernstein, Charlotte, North Carolina
Family Dollar Stores Inc.
Labor of Love
My hobbies are pretty straightforward. I’m a golfer and a gardener. I garden everything my wife points to. I’m the laborer more than the designer.
Doug L. Hemer, 60
Chief Administrative Officer and Director, Aetrium Inc., North St. Paul, Minnesota
