Douglas Ludwig.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: Biography

As a child of 10, Doug Ludwig moved, with his family, from the U.S. to Toronto, where he has remained ever since. After "basic financial training" at a Big Four firm, he landed the job he had personally selected when, as a university student, he researched the strategy and direction of a then-young company: the upscale Four Seasons Hotel chain. He finds his role in finance very fulfilling because of its strategic involvement.

Name: Douglas L. Ludwig

Title: CFO and Executive Vice President

Company: Four Seasons Hotels Inc. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is a leading operator of luxury hotels, managing 58 hotels in 27 countries and currently has 22 properties under construction.

Born: Detroit, Mich., Oct. 27, 1953

Spouse: Karen J. Rice, for 20 years

Children: Victoria, 15; Jonathan, 13; Jillian, 10

Education: HBA Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario, 1977; Chartered Accountant, 1980

Career Summary: 1977-84, KPMG, Toronto, Senior Audit Manager; 1984 to present, Four Seasons Hotels Inc., Toronto in continually expanding roles: 1984, Assistant Corporate Controller, '85, Vice President, Corporate Controller, '86, Treasurer, '87, Sr. Vice President and joined the company's Management Committee, '96, CFO and Executive Vice President.

FEI Chapter: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Time Management: "We schedule Monday morning Management Committee meetings to set priorities among senior management members to coordinate and integrate the priorities with each key discipline involved to ensure maximum productivity of the company's resources."

Stress Management: "Maintaining a clear focus on key business and family priorities helps to limit stress. A positive attitude is most important for dealing with constantly changing circumstances, both in the workplace and at home. Lastly, work very, very hard at everything."

Favorite Books: Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11, by Thomas Friedman and Theodore Rex, by Edward Morris

I would like to spend 1 hour with: "Warren Buffett. His common sense approach to valuation, businesses, accounting and finance issues is extremely refreshing and enlightening. I have been fortunate to spend much time with Issy (Isadore) Sharp (Four Seasons' founder), and to understand his entrepreneurial brilliance and skill, as well as meeting Curt Carlson and HRH Prince Alwaleed, and listening to the issues and opportunities they each focused on in building their...