Barbara A. Klein.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: BalanceSHEET - Personal profile of senior vice president of CDW Corp. - Biography

Kidded by her husband that "she can't hold a job," Barbara Klein says it's just the opposite. Life, she says, has provided her with a great series of opportunities--with a common thread being each job has been with a company going through change. She initially moved to Chicago after college to be in a "bigger" city, and feels fortunate that there have always been enough challenges to keep her there.

Goes By: Barb

Title: Senior Vice President and CFO

Company: CDW Corp., a provider of technology products and services

Born: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Spouse: Michael, married 28 years

Education Summary: Marquette University, BS in Accounting and Finance; Loyola University, MBA

Career: A career that has provided insight into several industries, beginning as Senior Auditor, Ernst & Young, 1977-81, Chicago; G.D. Searle & Co., various positions, including Policy Analyst, Supervisor of Compliance Reporting, Systems Analyst, Manager of External Reporting, and Director of Planning, 1981-86, Chicago; The NutraSweet Co., Controller of NutraSweet Consumer Products and then Director of International Finance, 1986-88, Chicago; Sears, Roebuck & Co., Controller of Sears Specialty Merchandising, then Controller, Sears Direct Marketing, 1988-93, Chicago; The Pillsbury Co., Vice President of Finance, Pillsbury Bakeries & Foodservice, then Vice President and Controller for Pillsbury, 1993-96, Minneapolis; Ameritech, Vice President and Corporate Controller, 1996-99, Chicago; Dean Foods Co., Vice President and CFO, 2000-02, Chicago; CDW Corp., Senior Vice President and CFO, 2002-Present, Chicago

FEI Chapter: Chicago

Board of Directors: Serves on the board of Corn Products International Inc. (audit committee) and the Tax Assistance Program, an organization that provides free tax-return preparation for low-income families.

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Leisure: Travel (U.S. and internationally--to places such as Italy, France, Hawaii and California's Napa Valley area); college basketball (especially Marquette); playing piano (from classical to Beatles); baking (anything chocolate) and reading (mostly mysteries and fiction).

Time Management: We all have very busy lives, but I have a great team of coworkers at CDW and a great assistant who supports me and takes care of a multitude of details.

Balancing work demands and personal time is challenging, but it is important to prioritize, delegate and find time for yourself and...