Home Body.

CFO Shawn O'Keefe restores balance to his hectic life by taking up hammer and nails and turning starving architectural masterpieces into healthy homes. He and his wife make it a hobby. So far, they've polished up a San Franciscan Victorian and an English Tudor. And, O'Keefe promises, there's more to come.

Born May 8, 1958

Married Simonne, a sr. manager of financial reporting for Charles Schwab and Co.

Kids Shane, on to kindergarten this year, "loves rollerblading and biking"; Katelyn, in preschool, "loves everything her brother does, plus candy"

Off hours Buying and restoring older homes; family camping, traveling, bike-riding

Schooling "I graduated with an electrical degree from a vocational school, but decided I didn't want to work outside in Minnesota winters, so I went to college."

BS (cum laude, no less), public accounting, St. Cloud University, Minn., 1982

CPA, Calif. and Minn.

FEI chapter Santa Clara Valley 

Best teams he's been on In business, "the executive group here at DHL Systems. The team has excellent technical skills as well as good business sense. It's a challenge to stay abreast of technology at the level required in the Silicon Valley area." In life, "Simonne and I have full-time, challenging jobs, while we raise two young children and remodel homes on the side. It's a small but very effective team."

Best business advice "Hire the best people you can. They'll make you and them successful. And take a practical approach to business problems, instead of looking for complex solutions."

Proudest career moment "I was assigned direct responsibility for a highly technical systems group that provided 24x7 support for a key electronic business application for DHL globally. The team was in disarray, lacked credibility and had low morale. I was able to re-establish the group's effectiveness, credibility and spirit by learning the technology. I got a chance to work with individuals who have a very different view of work, life and career, and a different vocabulary, than I'm used to in the finance area."

Time-management lips "Minimize the number and length of meetings you have. And process emails as you receive them."

Stress-management tip "Swim."

Worst summer Job "Working the night shift loading trucks while working as a landscaper during the day"

Last vacation spot With the kids, Grand Lake, Minn., "where I grew up...an excellent place for a family vacation." With his wife, Barcelona and Costa del Sol in Spain

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