Although I loved working on technology - I've always been a computer geek at heart - my professors encouraged me to get a real-world job working with customers.

There is no finish line when it comes to system reliability and availability, and our efforts to improve performance never cease.

I've worked with a variety of presidents over the years on both sides of the aisle and congressmen and senators, so I'm not into trying to demonize anybody. It used to be that people would fight like hell on the floor of the house and they'd go have a beer together. Now it's like you're radioactive if you talk to the other side, which keeps us from getting anything done. I'm an independent personally, and I vote for who I believe will make the biggest difference.

You need to get to the future, ahead of your customers, and be ready to greet them when they arrive.

You must always be able to predict what's next and then have the flexibility to evolve.

Some people would argue the other side: that the business of business is business, and companies should only be focused on profits. But in today's world, I don't think corporations can only be focused on profits, because they are inextricably linked with the communities that they serve. I do not believe you can be a leader in your industry without being a leader in your community. It's a fundamental shift in how you think about business.

You have chosen the wrong path if it's not fun. And you are probably not taking enough risk if it's not hard and rocky sometimes.