Joby O'Brien.

Joby O'Brien is vice president of development for BP Logix, which develops products that allow companies to automate their internal business processes without requiting users to change how they do business.

BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY

ESSENTIAL BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY: While many companies say that the customer comes first, our goal is to have every one of our customers say that we are the best company they have ever worked with.

BEST WAY TO KEEP A COMPETITIVE EDGE: Stay nimble, keep a technological edge and truly listen to our customers. We recently initiated a customer advisory board to give key customers direct access to our internal team and to have them participate in our ongoing product direction.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Work hard and smart, be fair, get others to take ownership of both challenges and opportunities.

YARDSTICKS OF SUCCESS: Financial success, stability, family, friends.

GOALS YET TO BE ACHIEVED: I constantly set new goals for myself, both personally and in business and strive to stretch myself.

JUDGMENT CALLS

BEST BUSINESS DECISION: Selling the rights to two software products to a large software company in the '90s.

WORST BUSINESS DECISION: Attempting to outsource some key internal activities 10 years ago. We learned that critical business functions need to be closely held.

TOUGHEST BUSINESS DECISION: Declining acquisition offers that were not in the best interest of the company.

BIGGEST MISSED OPPORTUNITY: None that I can think of in regards to work.

MENTOR: Ed Skiko, CEO.

WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU: Driven.

TRUE CONFESSIONS

WHAT YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR JOB: Interacting with prospects and customers about our products--and understanding their challenges.

WHAT YOU LIKE LEAST ABOUT YOUR JOB: Traveling outside of the West Coast.

PET PEEVES: People thinking that getting nine out of 10 things done correctly is acceptable (since 90 percent was an "A" in college many believe that it is a passing grade in business).

MUST IMPORTANT LESSON LEARNED: Do not try to do everything yourself, hire and be able to count on the right people.

PERSON MOST INTERESTED IN MEETING: LaDainian Tomlinson.

THREE GREATEST PASSIONS: Business, family, friends.

FIRST CHOICE FOR A NEW CAREER: Open a Dave & Buster's restaurant.

PREDILECTIONS

FAVORITE QUOTE: "To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOK: "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and "Great Demo!"

FAVORITE STATUS SYMBOL: Harley-Davidson.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: Any restaurant with no wait.

FAVORITE PLACE FOR BUSINESS MEETINGS: Hotel Solamar in San Diego.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Cruises on the Yachts of Seabourn.

FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND TIME: Riding motorcycles, doing things with my family, playing sports.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

RESUME

* NAME: Joby O'Brien.

* COMPANY: BP Logix.

* TITLE: Vice president of development.

* EDUCATION: B.S. computer science.

* BIRTHPLACE: New York.

* AGE: 43.

* CURRENT RESIDENCE: Vista.

* FAMILY: Married 22 years, 3-year-old daughter.