82. The Headhunters

Ann Carlsen
Title: Founder/CEO, Carlsen Resources

Michele James
Title: Founder, James & Co
Age: “6 dog years + 1 or 2
Years in Industry: “3 dog years + 1 or 2.”
Years left in the industry: “I’ll be working the phones from my Memorial Service.”

Jeannine Sommer
Title: SVP, search management, Carlsen Resources
Age: 33
Years in Industry: 10
Years left in the industry: “Many”

Why Them? OK, so maybe we put these women on our list every year just in case we need their services one day… But they also make the cut because they’re in the Rolodexes of every major player in the industry. And on top of that, they give back so much. Carlsen—through the help of many generous cable contributors—raised $78,000 this year in Denver’s 39-mile Avon Breast Cancer Walk. James has been an integral part of Cable Positive, reviving the Cable Cooks fundraiser cookbook a few years back and conducting several pro-bono searches for the nonprofit. Sommer has been a WICT champion, serving as a member of its board. On top of all that do-gooding, we always see a line of folks waiting to chat them up at any party. - AM

Ann Carlsen

I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I met Bill Daniels.”
Defining career moment: “Deciding to leave corporate America and start my own business.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Tom Freston. He is smart, creative, socially conscious and a wonderful human being!”
Favorite city: New York
I wish cable would: “Collaborate and diversify more.”
Favorite piece of tech: BlackBerry
Least favorite piece of tech: BlackBerry

Michele James

I knew the cable industry was for me when: “They paid my first expense report—no questions asked.”
Defining career moment: “Looking at my call sheet and finding the names of 3 pro sports leagues had each called me during the course of an hour.”
Top personal achievement in 2006: “There is still time to crack another milestone.”
Person (other than my current boss) who I’d most like to work for: “POTUS: not this one, the next one!”
Favorite restaurant: “Four Seasons Restaurant, NYC. What’s not to like about a 5-star restaurant serving cotton candy after dinner!”
Favorite city: “Good Old 212. Sinatra got it right… If I can make it there…”
Three things I would take with me to a deserted island: “My two cats and applications for the 3rd slot.”
Favorite song: “Riding Dirty”
Favorite TV show: “Everything on HD + The Colbert Report.”
Favorite sports team: “Al Michaels & John Madden (kind of an answer)”
Favorite piece of tech: “Telephone with headset.”
Least favorite piece of tech: BlackBerry
The world would be a better place if: “Paul Maxwell ran it.”
What is your favorite word? Compensation
What is your least favorite word? No
What turns you on? “Getting to YES.”
What turns you off? “Delay, delay, delay.”
What sound do you love? “My cat’s meow when I walk in the door.”
What sound do you hate? “Paper ripping”

Jeannine Sommer

Defining career moment: “Being recruited by Ann Carlsen to be her right hand.”
Top personal achievement in 2006: “Raising my 2 year old daughter while working full-time.”
Favorite city: New York City
Favorite sports team: The Yankees
Favorite piece of tech: BlackBerry

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