Education: B.A., University of Florida; M.A., University of Florida; Advanced Management Program, Harvard University

First automotive job: Governmental Affairs, Ford Motor Co., 1973. Proudest achievement: "Being part of the team that took Visteon public."

On being successful: "The key is to be comfortable with how you measure yourself. For me, the criteria is affecting change. If I know I have been instrumental in getting the right thing to happen, that's my idea of success."

On being a woman in the industry: "A mixed blessing. On the plus diside, you can get noticed for your achievements more easily. On the minus side, there's still a real barrier to getting into general management. The atmosphere in 2000 beats the hell out of 1973!"

Career highlights:

Before joining Ford in 1973, Skerker worked in academia. From there she was named Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Domestic and International Business at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Visteon spun off from Ford in June 2000. Positions at Ford include:

• 1994-99 Senior Director, Global Public Policy
• 1988-94 Director, Public Policy Office
• 1987-88 Director, Public Policy Development Office
• 1980-87 Federal Information and Analysis Director
• 1977-80 Federal Legislative Affairs Manager