Cindy Hess began her automotive career as a Design and Development Engineer with Chrysler, in the fall of 1977.Today, she is Vice-President of Daimler Chrysler, and head of the Small Car Platform Engineering Department which is directly responsible for the design and development of the Neon, Doge Viper, and all future small cars. “Many different departments are involved in bringing a product to market,” said Hess, referring to the 2000 Neon. “A company looks into renewing a particular vehicle when its marketplace demand is good, and the profits increase our shareholder's value,” explained Hess. “We look to our market research in determining which options we'll keep the same or delete, and which ones we want to add to improve our appeal.” Now that the Neon 2000 is on the market, her team will use survey and research results to determine which option packages work best for the consumer, and what improvements, if any, need to be made. And the beat goes on. Hess supervises 1200 engineers while managing a successful life as wife and mother. Her secret, she said, “is to always try to give 150 percent in everything I do. The only way I can really balance my work and family is by 'cheating at both ends.' For example,” Hess said, “I always take my boys to school on the first day of the year -- so I come in a little late. A few times a year I leave work for a couple of hours to see my son in a play or to attend his swim meet.” Like most other successful women in the auto industry, Hess's day begins early and ends late. In her case, coaching her son's basketball game ends some of Hess's days. “Occasionally,” she adds, “I come in to work on the weekends to catch up on paperwork and mail and have also been known to be called to work while I am on vacation.”