Steve Odland Quotations

You have more independent eyes scrutinizing the decision-making and financial statements of companies.

There's been a sea change in our focus on corporate ethics. We've made more progress in the last three years than the previous 30.

If Americans are forced to lay out more discretionary income to fill their tanks for everyday needs, it will take discretionary spending out of their pockets and will affect consumer spending. We need to act urgently to address the situation.

Over the past year or two we have been softer than normal in international.

This shows dramatic change, and it's all motivated by the desire for good corporate governance.

We have many associates and facilities in harm's way ... we also have thousands of our customers who will suffer greatly as a result of this storm,

?We want to encourage other companies that have significant business assets in this area--as well as those that do not--to join us in a massive relief effort for our fellow citizens who will be suffering in the days and weeks ahead.

Dirk combines great leadership skills and a results orientation with the international experience that is required for this position. His depth of knowledge will serve him well as we continue to strengthen our European operations and further leverage our leading position in the marketplace.

The money helps to restore trust and faith in our system. But we don't want the pendulum to swing too far and stifle innovation.

I don't mean to sugarcoat the figure on restatements, but I think it is positive - it shows a healthy system. The general impression of the public is that accounting rules are black and white. They are often anything but that, and in many instances the changes in earnings came after new interpretations by the chief accountant of the SEC.