01 // WHAT IS YOUR GROUP FOCUSED ON THESE DAYS?
We take a comprehensive view of risk at Qwest, so from that standpoint, my department is focused on proactively assessing and managing corporate risk. My groups responsibilities are diverse. We oversee regulatory compliance, ethics and compliance, information security, physical security, safety and environmental affairs, disaster preparedness and business continuity planning, claims and insurance, and national security emergency preparedness.
02 // WHAT SPECIFIC INITIATIVES HAVE WORKED WELL THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH OTHERS?
When we set out to rebuild our ethics and compliance program five years ago, we wanted to cement ethics and integrity into our company’s culture. We realized that you need all of your employees working toward the same objective. We utilize effective online training on a number of topics, but that only goes so far. We also utilize our management training program, Qwest Leadership Institute, to create social situations where ethics issues can be discussed, debated and ultimately embraced by our management.
03 // WHAT IN YOUR BACKGROUND HAS MOST PREPARED YOU FOR THIS POSITION?
My original degree was in fire protection engineering, and that has certainly given me the means of anchoring my thinking about risk, including ethical and compliance risk. I’m also a lawyer by training and that has been indispensable for the types of issues I encounter every day.
04 // WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?
We’ve done an incredible job at Qwest of building what we call a “culture of integrity.” My chief worry is figuring out how to maintain and improve upon a strong program without getting in the way of ourselves. Its a difficult balance.
05 // IS THERE ONE SPECIFIC PIECE OF ADVICE THAT YOU COULD SHARE THAT YOU WISHED YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU FIRST GOT THE JOB?
Learn how to build internal allies and leverage internal partners. For example, make friends with your partners in the IT department. Successful compliance programs at large organizations will obviously have a systems element, including online surveys, web-based training and tracking tools. Without excellent support and a good working relationship, delivering those programs will be much more difficult.
06 // WHO DO YOU REPORT TO? WHAT ROLE HAS HE OR SHE PLAYED IN THE COMPLIANCE AND ETHICS PROGRAM?
I report to Qwest’s CEO with respect to the Ethics and Compliance program and to the CFO with respect to the risk management program. In addition, our internal governance also establishes a relationship for ethics and compliance issues with our boards audit committee.
07 // WHAT’S THE WORST JOB THAT YOU HAVE EVER HELD?
Ive pretty much liked every job Ive had. And believe it or not, my current job has been my favorite to date. While it hasn’t been without significant challenges and my share of unpleasant tasks, I’m pleased and proud of the program we’ve built at Qwest and the team we have to support it.
