Decision Makers: Thomas Carr of SyCom Technologies

New position: vice president of Vertical and Emerging Markets for SyCom Technologies

Previous position: director of sales at Packet360

Birthplace: Radford

Education: bachelor's degree in business administration, James Madison University; MBA, Virginia Commonwealth University

Career: "My career began at Professional Medical Products, where I was responsible for sales efforts to hospitals in the Richmond/Tidewater region. . . . My health-care-sales career continued at Gambro Healthcare as major account manager, where I was responsible for sales-related activities involving hospitals and chronic dialysis units throughout Virginia and North Carolina. . . . I then used my health-care experience to move from a major account manager to . . . health-care business development manager at Cisco Systems."

Best career move: "Combining my health-care background with IT [information technology] experience has allowed me to offer a unique perspective to customers."

Career goals: "Optimizing a company's potential is always my immediate goal. In the long run, I hope that my career makes a difference ethically and financially for those involved."

Career tip for students: "Listen. Listen. Listen. Absorb the experience and expertise of others."

Family: wife Maribeth, children Caroline, Katie and Chris

Most memorable book: "Profiles in Courage" by John F. Kennedy