Published Works

The Road to Success: Indian Motorcycle Revs Up in Gilroy, by Mary Altier
Published: California CEO

"When Frank O'Connell took the helm of Indian Motorcycle last year, he did so because of a passion for motorcycle riding and a love of the classic Indian brand. He was drawn to the company's Gilroy headquarters from his comfortable home in Vermont, after an active career as 'a manager of life-style brands.' That means, he says, that his philosophy is to combine a consumer/demand driven orientation with a customer/dealer focus.

O'Connell hopes to help Indian, the oldest motorcycle company in the United States, capitalize on its legacy of fine craftsmanship and elegant design. Its retro look and feel has elevated it to near cult status among motorcyclist's worldwide. He estimates that approximately 95% of motorcycle consumers recognize the distinctive Indian brand.

Juan Quezada and the Miracle of Mata Ortiz by Mary Altier
Published: American Airlines Nexos (in Spanish)

When Juan Quezada was a young boy, he was fascinated by the ancient ceramic pottery shards he found near his home in Mata Ortiz, a dusty village in Northern Mexico's Chihuahua state. Determined to reproduce the prehistoric pots, he experimented to find out which combination of clay and other natural components made pots most like the pre-Colombian ones.

Today, there are over 500 potters in Mata Ortiz, many of them award-winning artists. The work of Quezada, a vital man in his sixties, is sold on-line and in some of the finest galleries throughout the world. Wearing a straw cowboy hat and boots dusty from his fields, he tells his remarkable life's story from a simple living room filled with elegant pots and numerous awards. He is proudest of El Premio Nacional de Ciencias y Artes, the highest honor a Mexican artist can receive.

The Sweet and Salty Success of Newman's Own Organics: The Second Generation, by Mary Altier
Published: California CEO

"A decade ago, Nell Newman had an idea that would contribute to a healthier environment. She suggested her famous father, Paul, expand his food line to include organic products. If Newman's Own manufactured organics, she reasoned, it could continue making contributions of all of its after-tax profits to charity, while making an additional contribution to sustainable organic agriculture.

Paul Newman turned the challenge back to his daughter. He offered to cover one year's expenses for a two-person team to determine the feasibility of an organic product line under the Newman name. The money would be returned once the new division became profitable, so that it could be given to the actor's beloved charities. Nell and her future business partner, Peter Meehan's research on the organic snack food market led to the formation of Newman's Own Organics: The Second Generation."

Recipe for Success; Plantronics, Incorporated, by Mary Altier
Published: California CEO