Susan Itin
Project Manager
Who had the biggest influence on your career & why?
My father, my grandfather and Dr. Michael DeBakey – they all helped me see what I didn't want to do. My father went to Rice University, but never settled on one career. He was in the Navy on active/inactive duty, a Customs Agent and Real Estate Agent. My grandfather was a doctor, so when I graduated from high school, I thought I wanted to work in the medical field, but wasn't sure. I worked in two pathology labs and at age 19, I was a technician on Dr. DeBakey's monitoring team (I still have the earrings he gave me for Christmas!). After working for Dr. DeBakey for about 9 months, I realized I might inadvertently kill a patient and decided to seek something less serious. I accepted a position as a receptionist at an ad agency, hoping it would provide some contacts in radio/TV. After a few months, I was offered the choice of one of two promotions, Assistant Media Buyer or Assistant Print Production Manager; the rest, as they say, is history.
What are you most proud of – your finest hour?
Landing a job as a Publishing Editor for ADV Films and starting a book publishing division, using 25 years experience as a Print Production Supervisor and a B.A. in English. I was required to build a department consisting of graphic designers, production artists, editors, and translators. I was further challenged by frequent communication with ADV's Japanese office developing interpersonal skills with our Japanese counterparts and intellectual property reproduction protocol, while interfacing with sales, marketing and public relations to meet the goal of publishing the first full-color film book in 4 months. Within 18 months, the division was publishing 15 books each month.
Share a great client story.
While working on the Conoco account, the AE and I flew on Conoco's private jet with the client to Ponca City, OK for a press check. We had a lot of free time, so the client took us to a chiropractor he knew and we all got "adjusted." Our client was very interested in keeping his agency team happy!
What attracted you to DMN3?
The potential to develop skills beyond Print Production Management.
What driving career goals are you still pursuing?
Writing.
Name at least one talent that you wish you could master?
Since I'm preparing for a long life, I have ambitious creative goals: acoustic guitar, creative writing, and fiber-art sculpture.
If you were marooned on a desert island, what would you miss most?
My husband, mom, nieces, and my best friends: Pamela, Beverly, Colette, Christi, Colette, and Jeannette – plus cherry pie, movies, music, books, knitting, art, and babies!
What food helps you think creatively?
Potato chips, chocolate and cookies, not necessarily together – it depends on how blocked I feel.
What is your favorite sports team & why?
The one with the shortest season! I don't gravitate to sports, but do watch hockey, golf and tennis.
Name your biggest frustration.
Not enough time for hobbies.
Describe your childhood and include where you grew up.
I was born in Houston, but I left my heart in San Francisco – cliché, but so true! My dad was in the navy, so we moved some within the U.S., but not as much as most military families. Between each move to Virginia, Louisiana and California, we moved back to Houston. As the first-born girl of five children, I was mom's "right arm." So, in spite of loving babies and children, the desire to have my own kids came and went in my mid-30s.
What is your all-time favorite TV program (on-air or not)?
Well, it's too hard to pick one and it's so age revealing! Mary Tyler Moore, That Girl, Dark Shadows, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, and Seinfeld.
When you're not working, what do you do for fun?
Journal writing, reading, exercising, knitting, watching movies, cooking, visiting museums, and traveling.
