Kim Adriano mixes adventure and opportunity
For 22 years, Kim Adriano ('79) called the corporate world of SC Johnson her professional home. Starting as an entry-level accountant in the early 1980s, Adriano worked her way up in the organization to the position of vice president and corporate controller.
Then the phone rang.
"A phone call came in one day from a recruiter," Adriano said. "My normal reply is, 'it would have to be something different and out there; a bit of an adventure for me to make a change, as I'm very happy at SCJ.'"
This time it was something different and "out there." The opportunity came from Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, based in Bermuda.
"And, it's a private, family owned company as well," Adriano said. "Talk about a fun industry and location, with a corporate culture similar to one in which I've grown up."
When she went to Bermuda, she liked what she saw. "The people, the company, the location, the opportunity -- I would be part of a team to take the company to the next level," Adriano said.
Yet in the end, even with the beauty of Bermuda and free Bacardi and cokes for the rest of her life, it was a difficult decision."I hold SCJ and its people in the highest regard," Adriano said. "But, I realized my sadness in leaving the company was just one of timing, as I would definitely leave SCJ some day, if only to retire."
That realization helped her come to terms with her decision. "After all, I had 22 years with the company," she said. "But the yearn to take on the adventure was too compelling. I was at the right point in my career and life to take this plunge."
So, it's off to Bermuda for Adriano and her husband, Neil. "I have a favorite quote that guided me on this," she said. "There are three things you never get back: the lapsed moment, the spoken word, the lost opportunity."
And what an opportunity it is.
Adriano first honed her financial skills as a business student at UW-Parkside, earning a bachelor of science degree in accounting. Because she was turning 17 years old when she graduated from Racine's Washington Park High School, her parents encouraged her to attend college close to home. Between the summer classes she took and the extra credits from College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, Adriano was able to graduate from Parkside in close to three years. Soon after she took the CPA exam and earned exceptionally high marks.
Adriano's interest in accounting came early, and she knew she wanted to work in the business world. Initially, however, "I wasn't nearly as goal oriented and didn't fully understand my potential," she said. "My parents didn't push me in the same way they did my brother, which was typical of that era."
As the parent of a daughter, Adriano has come full circle and encourages Michael Anne, attending UW-Madison, to pursue studies she is passionate about and that will lead to a career which capitalizes on her strengths.
When asked to define her rise from UW-Parkside accounting student to a high-ranking officer with some of the world's most respected private companies, Adriano reflects on her career. "First of all, you have to do your best in whatever position you have," she said. "You may like some jobs more than others, but that shouldn't affect your performance. You have to recognize opportunities when they arise - and take advantage of them despite any risks you might foresee."
She is appreciative of her circumstances, and recognizes that there's always a bit of good timing to any successful career. More importantly, Adriano is thankful for the quality of the people she's been able to work with as managers, co-workers, and employees. "What makes people successful is much less about the technical skills and more about the interpersonal skills," she said.
