Welcome to the latest installment of  “Leading Questions: Wisdom from the Corner Office,” where  IBJ sits down with central Indiana’s top bosses to talk shop about their industry and the habits that lead to success.

Ann Murtlow, 49, was named CEO of Indianapolis Power & Light Co. in 2002, soon after the utility's acquisition by Virginia-based AES Corp. It was a rough transition for AES, which suffered a precipitous stock slide and debt crisis coinciding with the Sept. 11 attacks, the Enron debacle and the ensuing disruption of the utility industry. A slew of lawsuits followed the acquisition, including charges that AES' top brass misled stockholders about the financial well-being of the company.

Murtlow, who had spent much of her career with AES, had her work cut out for her. In the video below, she describes her first several months at the helm of IPL and her top priority as the new CEO.



In addition to her demanding day job, Murtlow serves on a dozen high-profile boards, including the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. In the video below, she reveals secrets for effective time management, as well as how she finally gave up a long-time addiction.