Linda Parks President Lixit, Inc, PO Box 2580 Napa, CA 94558 800.358.8254 [email protected] http://www.lixit.com/

As President of Lixit, Inc., please tell us about the Company's roots and how your role become integral in the Company's success.
Lixit was started in Dr. Atchley's garage in 1968, located in Napa CA. I came to work for Dr. Atchley in 1971 as a buyer. We had 10 employees at that time. In 1994 Dr. Atchley retired and the employees bought the business using a qualified ESOP. Today we have 10 Million dollars in annual sales and have 105 employees. Out of our 105 employees 40 are adults with disabilities. The average tenure of our staff is 7 to 15 years. We are located in downtown Napa, CA and have a wonderful community that supports us every day.

In the country's current business environment, "Made in the USA" is a positive mantra for many companies. Please tell us about the challenges and successes you've experienced in allowing this mantra to become an asset to your company and the pet industry.
At the turn of the 21^st century many of my peers in the pet industry that made hard goods started to off shore their products and or merge/sell their businesses with larger companies in the Pet Industry. Being an employee owned company the owners of Lixit did not want to sell their company or send their jobs overseas. For many years Lixit was at a competitive disadvantage. Today the playing field is evening out with costs going up offshore and Americans looking for the "Made in USA" label. With long term unemployment plaguing our nation I feel all businesses should manufacture anything that is economically feasible in the USA.

What are your thoughts and suggestions on mentoring - both as a Company Executive and an individual? Is there a particular mentor who has been most impactful for you?
As president of Lixit Corporation with 40 years of manufacturing experience, I mentor and work with my staff at Lixit everyday so they can continue the uniqueness of owning and running an Employee Owned Company in the Napa Valley. Lixit has a staff of very talented young ladies that are being groomed to take over the Lixit Corporation in the next decade.

I have had the incredible opportunity to have many mentors make a very positive impact on our success. There are too many to mention but I will give you my top 12: Dr. Atchley founder of Lixit Corporation, Pat Stewart/Small Business Consultant, Phil Arneson/Acquisition Consultant, Lori Helm of Petsmart, Robin May formerly of Petco, Theresa Barrera /Wal Mart Supplier Diversity Program , Randolph Parks my late father in law, Mario Callegari and John Prescott my bankers, Andy Deer former President of Farnam Companies, and Kate King former CEO of the Napa Chamber of Commerce. Each one of these mentors played an important part in Lixit's success.

Balancing the demands of career and personal life is challenging for everyone! How do you strive to achieving this balance?
Now that my children are grown, balance is much easier. I have always had a very supportive family, and my husband of 39 years takes care of all those things that keeps a family strong when I run out of time. I think it takes a team to achieve balance.

Business affiliations are integral to business success. Please tell us about the associations at Lixit - both with the pet industry and others!
Lixit has always been a very community orientated business. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Napa Chamber of Commerce and have done so for many years. Lixit has been a member of WBENC since 2006, and was Business of the year for SBA Northern CA in 2006. Lixit is proudly affiliated with these Pet Industry associations: APPA, PIJAC, PIDA.

If you were to quote one notable business person - woman or man - who would it be?
My husband has always been a big fan of Zig Ziglar and has shared many of his quotes with me through the years. One of my favorites is: "You can have everything in life you want if you will help enough people get what they want."

What is the one thing that most people do not know about you!
I would like to work for a Children's Advocacy Group in my next career.

Topic: Networking in 2012: From Organizations To Internet, How To Make Connections That Last!
Date: Friday, March 2, 8:00am - 8:45am
Location: Room W209B, Level 2 of the Orange County Convention Center

Please join us for a very special networking event at Global Pet Expo 2012. You'll enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast and a presentation from our guest speaker, Stephanie L. McFee, PHR, Director of Client Services from NEW - Network of Executive Women.