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Bio:
Lead software product design engineer, Fisher Controls (now Emerson), 1984-1987
OEM/aerospace/telecomms software consulting, Digital Equipment Corporation, 1987-1991
President, Terrace Mountain Systems, software systems design and technology strategy advisory services, 1991-2000
CTO/Founder, Impart Technology, mobile communications software product company, 2001-2002
Director Software Platforms, Advanced Micro Devices, low-power processor and mobile software strategy, 2003-2005
General Partner, Taylor-Deininger Partners, business operations and market strategy advisory services, 2005-present
Community involvement:
1. Founding member (1993), committee chair (1993-1997), chair (1998-1999), board member (1998-2000), Austin Software Council (renamed to Austin Technology Council)
2. Board member, Austin Community College Foundation Board (1998-present); chair, board development committee (2005-2006)
3. Executive Resource Council, Austin Lyric Opera (1998-2001)
Person most admired:
Elizabeth I, who successfully managed an entire country through a significant phase of cultural, economic and international political growth rivaled by very few leaders anywhere in the world.
Favorite book:
"Glory and the Lightning", by Taylor Caldwell. I read it when I was 12, and it created a lifelong interest in ancient Greek history and the significant, continuing impact that amazing culture has had on ours.
What I enjoy most about my work:
I am motivated to get up in the morning by the thought of making a difference. Specifically, I look for situations with significant business and economic impact, demanding very high levels of innovation and creativity to address. I derive significant satisfication by creating organizations to address new markets and in leaving an organization and its people in better shape than I found it.
Greatest accomplishment:
I have raised a level headed, reliable young man who is wise, empathic and well rounded. He will be an asset to his community.
Greatest challenge:
Starting my first company as a new mother of a 5 month old, whose husband was out of work and eventually moved 1,000 miles away, taught me two things: 1. trust my instincts and 2. when opportunity knocks, you sometimes have to jump on it despite the obstacles that may exist.
However, the MOST important thing I learned was the value of relationships in business and in one's personal life. Without those, my first company would not have succeeded.
Advances I envision in my field over the next 10 years:
Communications, computing and entertainment will have completely merged. There will be a seamless flow of this from the house, to the car, into the office, and back. Biosensors will continue to reduce the wear and tear of exploratory surgery, raise the accuracy of diagnoses and reduce the cost of surgery. Computing capability will continue to progress into smaller and smaller places, and at less cost than today. Social issues resultant from these capabilities will strain the legal system, and the Supreme Court will get a workout.
Strategies to maintain balance in my life:
I run 3 miles every other day, irrespective of what emergency of the moment may have emerged, and wherever there is a track/sidewalk/quiet street available. I read a chapter of a novel every evening. I sign up for, and maintain the commitment to, at least one school related activity throughout the year that keeps me close to my son and his classmates. I maintain one major community board level commitment at all times.
Advice for emerging entrepreneurs:
Do what trips your trigger and what causes you to use what you know the most about. Always remember there is a lot of work to be done in this world, and reach out to those whom you might at first view as competitors. To the 90% level, they are partners in disguise.
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