Jean-Luc DesChamps.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: Balance Sheet - Cirque du Soleil

Although he exercises and works out, Jean-Luc DesChamps says, "I'm far from being an athlete." So he's pleased that his contributions to Cirque du Soleil are based on his skills and talents in the financial arena. Just as Cirque's artists train long hours to perfect their acts, he, too, spends long hours traveling and working to simplify the complexity of the entertainment company's global operations.

Title: VP, Finance

Company: Cirque du Soleil, international entertainment and multimedia

Born: Lachenaie, Quebec, May 1955

Spouse: Jannot, for 24 years

Children: Hugo, 20; Marie-Eve, 17

Education: BAA and CA, 1977, from H.E.C., the business school affiliated with the University of Montreal

Career: Ernst & Young (formerly Clarkson Gordon), 1977-'80, as External Auditor; Catelli (Internal Auditor, then Financial Analyst, then successive positions in the new ventures, control and trade merchandising departments), 1980-'89; a brief stint at Saputo Cheese; Unigesco (Controller of Excelco Foods, then controller for the holding company, and finally VP Finance at Sodisco-Howden Group, formerly Unigesco Inc.), 1989-'98; Gaz Metropolitain (Corporate Controller, then Treasurer), 1998-present, Cirque du Soleil; named in October 2000 as Corporate Controller, moved to current position in December 2001.

FEI Chapter: Montreal

Leisure: "I enjoy relaxing with family and friends at my home, which is near a river in a quiet area in Montreal. I also enjoy theatre, cycling, gardening (I grow raspberries), home improvement, music, including New Age and classical, and trying to improve my golf (with a great deal of difficulty!)."

Time Management: "I can't give any advice on that! In fact, my New Year's resolution was to reduce the amount of time I spend at work. Working in a fast-growing international corporation is very demanding in terms of organization, but after two years, I feel like I'm more in control of things now."

Stress Management: "Make sure you work with the right people; it makes all the difference. I've been lucky, having worked with managers who've each given me something. From Larry Smith, coach of the Montreal Alouettes football team, I learned to make sure that everybody knows their responsibilities. Other keys: find and...