Bill Romenius.

When just out of college, Bill Romenius volunteered to join the U.S. Peace Corps. Who would've known that would be a backdrop for what has ultimately become a varied finance-based career that is full of international travel?

Title: Director -- International Business Compliance

Company: The Boeing Co., Aerospace

Born: Holyoke, Mass., March 17, 1951

Family: Married to Brenda for five years. Brenda has two children: Megan, 21, and Brian, 19.

Education: Wichita State University, BA, Major in History, 1973; Wichita State University, MBA, accounting emphasis, 1975; Yale Executive Management Program, 1988

Career Summary: 1980 to present, The Boeing Co. Due to its size and diversity, I have been fortunate in undertaking several significant and challenging assignments within Boeing over the past 25 years. These include: Jan. 2003 to present: International Business Compliance, Washington, D.C.; 2001-03, Director of Financial Policy, Washington, D.C.; 1995-2001, Assistant Controller, Company Offices, Seattle; 1986-95, Director of Cost Accounting/Cost Accounting Affairs Manager, Company Offices, Seattle and Washington, D.C.; 1980-86, Financial Analyst, Seattle and Wichita, Kans.; Oct. 1977-April 80: Peace Corps Volunteer, Financial Analyst, Costa Rica, National Institute for Cooperative Development (INFOCOOP)

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FEI Chapter: Washington, D.C. Chairs FEI's technical Committee on Government Business (CGB)

Leisure: Brenda and I enjoy going to concerts and theatre and taking walks around Washington, D.C. As members of the Smithsonian Residence Associates Program, we sign-up for Smithsonian Civil War tours led by noted historian Ed Bearss.

Time Management: At the start of each day, I put together a mental list of things that I wish to complete by day's end and stick to it.

Stress Management: Jogging after work really helps. Also, I find it helpful that when one issue is causing stress to move onto something else. It is amazing how often that once you go back to the stressful issue, an answer or direction becomes obvious and the path for a solution has been defined.

Recently-read Book: The World is Flat and others by Thomas Friedman. I find his perspectives valuable in understanding the Middle East and globalization. This has helped me gain an appreciation of the influences on the world economy and the role the U.S. plays in it.

If I could, I'd like to meet Benjamin Franklin, because of his pragmatism, and Thomas Jefferson because of his sheer genius. I'd like to gain their perspectives on current events. I would even buy the beer, which, in honor of the occasion, of course, would be Samuel Adams!

Who is your hero? My brother, Tommy. As a special education teacher for almost 30 years, he has made a difference in the lives of many underprivileged children--in spite of the significant increase in paperwork and regulatory compliance requirements. He works on on weekends so that when he has the kids in his classroom, he can spend that time with them. When he was preparing for a quadruple heart by-pass recently, Tommy's main concern was updating the lesson plans for his kids!

What's the best advice you've received? Two history professors in college told me to get my MBA instead of pursuing advanced degrees in history, and then one of my MBA professors recommended that I join the Peace Corps.

Favorite Deal: In 1996, as part of the merger with Rockwell Aerospace, an advance agreement on the handling of pension costs was required between Boeing and the U.S. government. I had to work with many government agencies to explain our proposed solution and gain their approval.

About 30 minutes prior to the deadline, all the approvals were gained and I was able to execute the advance agreement. We were able to close on the merger, which has benefited Boeing and its customers, principally the U.S. government--a true win-win.

If I could, I would change: Traveling around the world over the last several years has given me a deeper appreciation for language skills. Serving in the Peace Corps, I learned Spanish. As a child, I was frequently in the company of my extraordinary Lebanese grandparents, who spoke Arabic. I wish I had taken advantage of that opportunity to learn to speak Arabic.

Email: [e-mail]

--Edited by Ellen M. Heffes