Date: Jul 13, 2012 Source: bizjournals (
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How long have you held these positions?
Foulk: One year
Bowser: One year
Why do you work well together?
Foulk: I've got a long history with the company, running a small-business, family-oriented culture, whereas Dottie came on board with a long history with a larger company. One of our goals, although we're growing, is to maintain a small-business feel, so we complement each other.
Bowser: We think alike, we both work hard, we like to see results. We sometimes play devil's advocate and challenge each other, but in the end, we work together to figure out the best solution.
How have you dealt with a particular problem?
Foulk: Just before Dottie came on board, we transitioned to a new accounting system and it was far from complete. Our managers were clamoring for more financial information, so we worked hard to look at what they needed and make changes to get information to our staff so they could better manage their projects.
Bowser: Since we are a government contractor, we're teetering on that wall where we're sometimes considered a large business and sometimes considered a small business. Just trying to maintain the competitiveness to achieve work, we have a lot of discussions and think ahead to anticipate potential risks.
What is the best way to put together a CEO/CFO team?
Foulk: Trying to grow it in-house, if you have the talent, is probably best, but if not you need someone who knows your business. Dottie wasn't with a small business, but we're heading in the direction of a larger business, so it helped us to have someone with that background.
Bowser: You have to complement each other. You listen to each other, give each other an opportunity to present your thoughts and then treat each other the way you want to be treated.
