William D. Koch.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: Balance sheet

Bill Koch's passion is Italy, where he had lived with his wife on assignment--and where their daughter was born. The family goes back often. He's pictured showing the width of a narrow street in the small, medieval town of Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena, on one of his favorite "off-the-beaten-path" jaunts.

Goes By: Bill

Title: Vice President & CFO

Company: Development Dimensions International Inc., a global human resources consulting firm

Born: Schenectady, N.Y., March 1949

Spouse: Nancy, for 34 years

Children: Stephanie, 24

Education Summary: BSEE (Electrical Engineering), Iowa State University, 1967-72; MBA, Northwestern University, 1972-74

Career Summary: Honeywell Inc., Minneapolis, 1969-72, Cooperative Engneering; Eli Lilly & Co., Indianapolis, 1974-87, in various roles: International Financial Analyst, Internal Auditor, Corporate Financial Planning Analyst, Cost Accounting Department Head; then Area Financial Manager, Middle East Operations, Rome, Italy, Director of Finance, Elanco, SA, Kinsale, Ireland and 1985-87, Financial Advisor, Medical Research, Indianapolis; Exceptional Software Inc., Indianapolis, 1987-89, Co-founder/President; Development Dimensions International Inc., Pittsburgh, 1989-Present, VP, CFO.

FEI Chapter: Pittsburgh Chapter, member since 1991. Have served as Treasurer, Secretary, Board Member and also Chapter Private Companies Coordinator. FEI National: Serve as Chair of the Private Company Standards Subcommittee of the Committee on Private Companies. Leisure: Travel, in general, and especially to "off the beaten path" villages in Italy, and discovering Italian wines.

Time Management: A combination of my executive assistant and my wife.

Stress Management: Doing something physical, such as a day of gardening or snow skiing.

Recently-read Book: Why CEOs Fail, by David L. Dotlich and Peter C. Cairo

If I could, I'd spend one hour with: A successful race car driver--to learn how they perceive and manage risk and then prepare for racing knowing that their lives are always on the line.

What's the best advice you've received? There are a few: The truth is always your best friend; facts are friendly; and make sure that what you're doing would be...