Executive Suite: Adrienne Giannone of Edge Electronics

Adrienne Giannone got a kick out of a holiday gift she received at the office: a collection of hats representing her various roles as co-founder and head of Bohemia-based Edge Electronics.

"Interior Decorator," reads one. Another says "Therapist." And, of course, "Boss."

Giannone, who started in the electronics field as a secretary, helped launch the company 20 years ago. Edge distributes electronic components and LCD displays used by the military and the health care and security industries - "anything from toys to missiles," she says.

Giannone, 62, an avid golfer, organizes golf fundraisers for breast cancer groups and serves on the board of LISTnet, the Long Island Software and Technology Network.

She has two sons, one of whom works at Edge, and three grandsons.

What are your plans for growth?

"The short-term goal is to go $100 million [in sales] and be within the top 25 distributors in the United States. The long-term goal is for several [current managers] to take over the business, bring it public and make it a $1-billion corporation."

What's your strategy for dealing with competition?

"Our competitors are usually very large companies. What I like to say is, we have the best products to sell. We can offer alternatives for cost savings. But the main thing is we can service a customer better than anybody else in the industry. That's our main focus - customer satisfaction."

What do you look for when you're hiring?

"I look for personality. I look for honesty. I look for somebody who I feel will fit in with the corporation. Because everyone gets along very, very well here. They're very goal-oriented and very much team-oriented."

How would you describe your management style?

"I've been told I'm very lenient. I like people to do their jobs, and I don't like to look over their shoulders. Everybody is rewarded by the fact that nobody is telling them what to do. You have to restrain yourself many times and let a person do it their way and try to teach them afterward if they made a mistake."

What have you learned about leadership the hard way?

"Women, I think, are tested more. When you have a meeting, especially with people from outside the company, they'll look to the men first and start speaking directly with the men, until you start speaking and they realize you know what you're talking about. And to gain their respect you have to know your business.

"As far as leadership and what I've learned, it's just to be respectful of people and let them do their job. I have been disappointed in a few people I was close with. But I still have a lot of faith in people."

What do you hope will happen with the company when you retire?

"The people that have been working here and that I've been grooming for management will be able to take over the company."

NAME: Adrienne Giannone

TITLE: President, chief executive

COMPANY: Edge Electronics

BUSINESS: Distributor of electronic components

LOCATION: Bohemia and several other offices in North America and Mexico.

TYPE: Private company

REVENUE: $50 million annually

EMPLOYEES: 33, including 20 on Long Island