Robin L. Shuler.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen
• Position: Balance sheet - Interview

Robin Shuler says the best advice he ever received was from his college roommate, shortly after a double date: "You should stick with that one. She's a prize," he said, referring to Shuler's wife, Ellen, to whom he's been married for 34 years. That advice, Shuler says, was a precursor to the best decision he's ever made.

Name: Robin L. Shuler, CPA, MBA

Goes By: Rob

Title: Chief Financial Officer for the Seattle Symphony; Chief Operations Officer for Benaroya Hall

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Business: Seattle Symphony, musical performing arts at Benaroya Hall in Seattle

Born: Medford, Ore., November 1952

Spouse: Ellen, since March 20, 1976

Children: Two sons, Ian, 28; and Darin, 26

Education Summary: CPA, State of Washington, 1983; MBA, University of Puget Sound, 1980; BA, Accounting, Seattle Pacific University, 1976

Career Summary: URS Corp., Accountant to Director, Finance & Accounting, Seattle, 1976-86; ESCA Corp., Controller, Bellevue, Wash., 1986-88, St. Catherine's/Evergreen Court Retirement Living, CFO, North Bend, Ore., 1989-90; W&H Pacific Inc., CFO, Bellevue, Wash., 1990-93; AGI Technologies Inc., CFO, Bellevue, Wash., 1993-96; Abacus Engineered Systems Inc., CFO, Seattle, 1996-2001; Compass Financial Management LLC, Principal, Kirkland Wash., 2001-04; Qualis Health, CFO & Vice President, Finance & Administration, Seattle, 2003-09; Seattle Symphony, CFO and Benaroya Hall, COO, Seattle, 2009-Present

FEI Chapter: Washington State Chapter, member since 2001. President-elect and Secretary of chapter.

Leisure Pursuits: | attend Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall musical events, of course! I also share season tickets for the Seattle Mariners baseball club (25 games in the 2010 season); enjoy musical performances and plays (especially at intiman Theatre in Seattle); travel (to Mexico or Hawaii); college sports (especially football and basketball); movies; reading books; playing games (like Scrabble, cribbage or chess); and easy hiking.

Time Management: Stay wired with a PDA, cellphone and Outlook calendar; keep a prioritized action items "to-do" list; prioritize using Covey's 7 Habits; and review daily notes to update action items.

Stress Management: De-stress at the end of each day and take breaks and walks to get away from my desk/office. Also listen to music and the symphony...