86. The Head Headhunters

Ann Carlsen, Michele James

Ann Carlsen
Resume: Founder, CEO, Carlsen Resources
Age: "Almost as old as color TV"
Last Year: #40

Michele James
Resume: Principal, James & Co.
Age: "281 in dog years, but sometimes it feels like 300."
Last Year: #40

Why Them? Tom Dima of Cable Positive calls James the headhunter for the cable stars. In addition to running her own search firm, now in its second year, she's done pro bono recruitment work for Cable Positive. But there's more. Dima credits James with reviving the cable cookbook as a fundraiser for Cable Positive, 10 years after the first edition. By the end of October, "Cable Cooks 2: The Inside Dish," which James championed and co-edited with Dima -- had raised $125,000 for Cable Positive, half its budgeted goal of $250,000. Her employees laud Carlsen as a boss who gives them plenty of rope but won't let them hang. In a difficult recruitment environment, cable's grand dame of employment's managed to keep business up. She gets extra points with us for her championing of diversity and always being willing to help NAMIC, WICT and other deserving groups.

--MS

Ann Carlsen
Challenge Ahead: "Staying ahead of all the personnel changes"
Most Recent Book Read: "The 9/11 Report"
Hobby: "Walking my dog"
Ideal Vacation: "The British Virgin Isles"
New Year's Resolution: "To start smoking, drinking, and talking about people"
One Thing I'd Change about Cable: "All the change"
Relaxation Method: "Talking to myself."
Is It Getting Harder or Easier to Balance Work and Home Life? "I've always tried to make balance a priority, and always asked my staff to do the same, but with the pace of life getting faster all the time, it sure seems harder than ever. I guess I will always be un-balanced."
I'd Switch Jobs With: "Honestly, I have the best job in the business."
Business Advice: "Never eat at a place called "Mom's."
Music of Choice: "Oldies and classic rock"
Can't Live Without: "My team. Jeannine Sommer, Renee Hauch, Danielle Rippe, Justin Rallis, Dolores Miles, Karen Seeman, Laurni Blanchard, Adam Jones, Marla Peyton, they are all the BEST at what they do."