James E. Friess.

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

Jim Friess works in an industry that is known as "the sport of kings" and features the annual Kentucky Derby. A native Kentuckian--the home of horses and hospitality--Jim lives and works within a short distance of his birthplace. He recalls his 1976 interview with Clairborne Farm, home of Secretariat (pictured), when they drove him through the farm. Viewing the fields and the horses, his first thoughts were, "Where do I sign?"

Title: Financial Manager

Company: Claiborne Farm Ltd., a fifth-generation privately held, family business of standing thoroughbred stallions and raising horses for breeding and racing on a 3,000-acre farm.

Born: Louisville, Ky., Jan. 24, 1947

Spouse: Linda Lane Friess; 10 years

Children/Grandchildren: Daughter, Teresa Flynn; Grandson, Nathan, 16; Step-daughters: Gina Lane Watson; Deondra Watson Sailors; Son-in-law, Richard Sailors Jr.; Stepson, Gordon Watson Jr.; Step-grandchildren: Liv Sailors, 4 months; Nicholas Sailors, 5; Emily Sailors, 13; and Richard Sailors 3rd, 14.

Education: BA from Bellarmine University, Louisville, Ky., 1970

Career Summary: 1970-76, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Louisville, Ky.; 1976-Present, Claiborne Farm, Paris, Ky.

FEI Chapter: Bluegrass Chapter, Lexington, Ky. (Past President, 2002 and 2003)

Leisure: Golf and dancing. Also, I have an interest in learning about nutritional supplements as a way to fight off diseases. When it comes to our own health, the key word is "prevention." We can do a lot with food, exercise and nutritional supplements, particularly antioxidants and those that strengthen the immune system. There are powerful, natural ways to fight off diseases. Doctors don't educate us about prevention.

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Time Management: We all get 24 hours in a day, and have choices as to how we use our time. I'm in the office by 7:00 am--to get an early start, before the others arrive; I stay in for lunch, and leave at approximately 5:30 pm. Often, I'll read horse-industry publications at night, mixing my work with other parts of my life.

Stress Management: Exercise program of primarily low-impact aerobics. Also I enjoy listening to comedy on XM radio while driving home from work and watching horse racing on TVG (Television Games Network) and on ESPN.

Favorite book: Seabiscuit, by Laura Hildenbrand

I would like to spend one hour with: Tubby Smith, the men's basketball coach at the University of Kentucky.

Who would you like to invite to your dinner table? Penny...