Carlton R. West, 2010 Honoree
- Title
- Senior vice president, chief information and operations officer
- Employer
- Orion Bank
- Location
- Naples,, Fla.
- First job:
- "At age 11, I created my own bicycle repair and customization shop in a portion of our yard using parts from the weekly neighborhood trash."
- Most valuable career advice:
- "If you wish to advance significantly in the back-office functions, always gravitate toward the jobs no one else is willing to do and knock 'em out!"
- Would you advise young people to pursue an IT career?
- "Yes, because technology permeates every facet of life. But I would warn them that it is becoming a commodity."
- Leadership philosophy in a nutshell:
- "Treat all people in business as adults and professionals. And in unpalatable situations, retreat to professionalism."
- Technology pet peeve:
- "Most perceived technology issues are usually business and/or process issues, so technologists can't solve them unless they become business people and learn their products/service, environment, customers, and the formal and informal chains of command."