James Haddad.

• Author: Raab, Marian
• Position: Balance sheet - Cadence Design Systems Inc. - Occupation overview - Editorial

Here's some advice from James Haddad to those about to start careers in finance: "Don't rush it. Realize that you're going to be working for 30-plus years. The reality is that when you get to age 50, you hope there will still be another 20 left!"

Title: Corporate Vice President, Finance and Treasurer.

Company: Cadence Design Systems Inc., a high-tech software firm in San Jose, Calif.

Children: One son, James Haddad 3rd, who is 21 and the blessing in my life. He's currently a senior at Stony Brook University in New York, majoring in biology and applying to medical schools.

Education Summary: B.B.A., Public Accounting, Bernard Baruch College, 1979; M.B.A., Fordham University Graduate School of Business, 1983.

Career Summary: Colgate-Palmolive, New York, in various general-accounting, cost and budget-accounting roles (1974-79); Gilman Paper Co., New York, Accounting Manager, Internal Audit, Tax and Assistant Treasurer (1979-84); Mickelberry Investments, New York, Assistant Treasurer (1984-86); NEC Industries Inc., New York, Managing Director Treasury and Administration (1986-2003); Rich Products Corp., Buffalo, N.Y., Treasurer (1994-2000); Cadence Design Systems, San Jose, Corporate Vice President, Finance and Treasurer (2000-present).

Board of Directors: Association of Finance Professionals (2000-02); Neu Group (2000-present).

FEI Chapter: President of the Silicon Valley Chapter; Silicon Valley Board (2002-present); New York City Chapter Board (1987-92); FEI Member since 1986.

Leisure Pursuits: I exercise every day to stay in shape. I'm usually up before 4 a.m., and then start with some stretching, calisthenics and then weight training. I'm within 10 pounds of the weight I was when I graduated high school!

Time Management: I've worked 60-plus-hour work weeks for as long as I can remember, but manage to make time for some work-life balance. Largely whatever time I have left on weekends, ! spend with either my partner, Debbie, or my family.

Stress Management: Music, meditation, relaxation. I like to...