4. Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why?
My father was my first real influence. He was involved in early electronics with the first call forwarding device that was a test case overturning the AT&T Foreign Attachment Tarrif. I guess you could say he is one of the reasons you can use computers over phone lines today. He taught me two important things: 1) that the glass is always 1/2 full and 2) when you have a good idea, work on a clever new way to go about it.

5. What lessons have you learned that would be valuable to women beginning their careers in technology?
I think it is very important to stay current in technology by going to seminars and executive or high-level technology sessions. The networking is invaluable and the knowledge is critical in our industry. Find and develop mentors in your specific knowledge area and in areas that you may want to move towards someday. Be a mentor. The people you help develop today may be running a company you are doing business with shortly! The high-tech industry is a marvelous age and experience leveler.

6. What strategies do you use to maintain balance in your life?
I have two great daughters and we all ride horses (now that's low-tech!). I also practice what I preach and work at least part of each week from my home. I have worked this schedule for the last 10 years and flex time in corporations is not only possible, it is essential. My daughters are 10 and 14 now . I also have a husband of 16 years who is a supportive partner and we are avid skiers.

7. What new technology do you believe will have the most positive impact on the world in the next 20 years? The most negative impact?
I believe the rate of change on the web will be amazing. Today we think in terms of watching multimedia or reading text and interaction happening via phones, meetings or typing. I think we will move to video interaction very quickly, using a combination of stored information (video mail) and live feeds. I also believe people are going to literally "unplug" for periods of time during the day/evening. Just as we have "noTV times" at our house I believe people will defer phones, TV, computers and all technology to specific hours of the day and when they do turn it on it will be preprogrammed to what they like and have prioritized.

Susan Parks answers these questions:
1. What was your first job in technology?
2. Who has been your most significant mentor? Why?
3. What has been your greatest challenge and what strategies did you use to overcome obstacles?
4. Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why?
5. What lessons have you learned that would be valuable to women beginning their careers in technology?
6. What strategies do you use to maintain balance in your life?
7. What new technology do you believe will have the most positive impact on the world in the next 20 years? The most negative impact?

On the lighter side:
1. If you could have dinner with any 2 people (living or not), who would they be?
2. Define success in 10 words or less.
3. If you could only subscribe to 3 magazines, what would they be?

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