What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My very first job was as a cashier at a women's store during my sophomore year in college. As a fairly serious student and a somewhat sheltered Southern girl, I had never had a job when in high school although I had volunteered as a "candy striper" with some regularlity at a local Catholic hostpital.

In both positions, I found the work relatively easy, but gratifying. What I most enjoyed about the position at the woman's store was the sense of independence I acquired from earning my own money and a pleasure in juggling my academic duties to allow me the time to do both. In looking back, I realize that most of my adult life has been an exercise in juggling -- first graduate school as a teaching assistant with two small children, then work with being a single parent, and finally the large variety of tasks required of an entrepreneur in a start-up.

Who is your hero, mentor or person you most admire? Why?

There are a number of people that I admire. Among them, Bob Inman is exemplary. Bob has had a distinguished career -- as an admiral in the Navy, Director of the NSA, Deputy Director of the CIA, founder and CEO of MCC, and CEO of Westmark Technologies. When he "retired" from Westmark, he was independently wealthy and in much demand as a Board member of public companies and philanthropic organizations across the country. Yet he has spent a good part of his time and capital serving as a business angel to a number of high technology entrepreneurs, including myself. Bob brings more than money to the start-up companies he invests in. His approach to business is a combination of razor-sharp intelligence and strong human values. I feel honored and grateful for his help over the past six and a half years.

What are you most proud of (either professionally or personally)?

I am proud of how far ETI has come as a company and the value system that the company embodies. While we are far from perfect and the organization sometimes stumbles, the team is committed to bringing value -- to the customer, to each other, and to the investor.

What advice would you give to young women who want to enter your field?

I think one of the most important things to learn is to listen to your own instincts. Too often young women particularly are looking for external permission to risk and succeed. Fearful that they may not be good enough, they look to their boss or a mentor for some indication that they are "ready" when, in fact, some of these individuals may actually become competitive with the woman as her skills improve. As a result, it is important to create a dialogue with your "internal" guide -- acknowledging and learning when you're wrong and taking input from a wide range of sources, but developing your own instincts about what risks are reasonable.

What is your favorite book?

Njal's Saga -- an Icelandic family saga which focuses on the friendship between Njal (the greatest lawyer in medieval Iceland) and Gunnar (the greatest warrior ). Their story tells of great loyalty and honor in the face of treachery and hardship, the importance of courage in the face of almost certain failure, and humor and humanity in the face of both.

What is your favorite Web site?

eti.com (of course)

What do you see as the single most interesting element of your work?

Software is an extremely exciting field for a number of reasons. First, it is an extremely flexible medium and the range of problems you can address with software is extremely broad. Second, people who write software are usually creative, passionate, and bright. And third, the rate of change in the field is extremely rapid. Consequently, it is very easy to remain intellectually challenged and engaged.

As for my current position as president and CEO of a software company, I find that I am constantly having to redefine my duties as the company grows and its need change. In this way as well, I am also regularly challenged.

What was your darkest moment (professionally) and what did you learn from it?

There have been several very hard junctures professionally:

1. One of my most painful experiences was when my research project was cancelled in the VLSI CAD Program at MCC, due in large part to my having alienated too many people by being too opinionated and outspoken. This experience taught me to be much more discrete in what I say and more careful about what battles I take on.

2. When we almost ran out of money the first year we were in business, I learned how leaders have to hide their fears in order to keep the team focussed. Otherwise, failure is assured.

3. Finally, I have learned that making hard personnel calls is something that doesn't get easier if you put them off. In fact, if you wait too long to have that hard talk with someone or make a change, you are liable to put even more people at risk.

What do you do to relax?

Walk and dine with friends, read, spend time with my daughters and grandson.