Influences:

What shapes the minds that make the news

As seen in The Philadelphia Inquirer

John Westrum
is chief executive officer of Westrum Development CO. of Fort Washington.

Quotation to live by: "If it was easy, everyone would be doing it." My father told me this when I started my business at age 21.

Books on my nightstand right now: Who Moved My Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson. I read it five years ago, and I changed the direction of my business because of it. I reread it every so often. The Adventures of Mr. Toad: From the Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame.

Favorite author, fiction: Tom Clancy. Love the suspense.

Favorite author, nonfiction: Robert A. Caro, author of The Power Broker and other books.

Favorite poet (or poem): Not really into poetry, but this question has sparked my interest.

Favorite beach reading: Men's Health and the Sunday New York Times.

Book or author other people praise but I never liked: The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. Overly followed, and people get crazy about it.

A book that influenced how I live my life: Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In, by Roger Fisher. I read it in college, and I continue to read it now. For 20 years, I have based my business decisions on the principles.

TV show I'm not ashamed to admit I watch: Law & Order. I never solve the crime.

TV show i hate to admit I like: SpongeBob SquarePants. I watch it with my three children. I love the adult humur hidden in the context of a cartoon.

Favorite comic strip: Not really into comic strips, but I used to read comic books. Batman is my favorite.

Movies I love so much I've watched them more than twice: Fletch, Animal House, and Top Gun. Every real estate developer should love Maverick.

Web sites (other than my organization's) that I visit regularly: Google. I am always looking for information; Meyers, provides a weekly update on home-building statistics, trends and forecasts both regionally and nationally.

If you turned my car radio on right now, it would be tuned to: WMGK-FM (102.9). Nothing like a little Led Zeppelin to get you going
through the day. KYW-AM (1060), especially "on the 2's." I am always driving somewhere (usually a few minutes late) and need to know the fastest way.

Magazines I read regularly: Business Week, Road and Track, Builder, and Urban Land Institute magazine. The last one showcases worldwide projects in urban development. I get most of my ideas from these publications.

Favorite type of music: Classic rock. Also like a little techno in small doses.

Last concert/performance attended: Rolling Stones at the Wachovia
Center.

Recording I play when my soul needs a Lift: The Ray of Light CD by Madonna. Any U2 song.

Person in my field whom I most admire: Bob Youngentob of the urban development company EYA. He leads a company that has mastered urban revitalization in a metropolitan city: Washington. He is a member of my Builder 20 think tank, and I have learned a great deal from him.

Living person I'd most like to join for dinner and conversation: Alan Greenspan- He epitomizes knowledge and was the second-most-powerful man in the world- I respect his ability to manage the global economy, and keep the real estate market stable.

Heroes from history: Ronald Reagan. He was my idol in college and was an amazing president. He was conservative but practical, and he spoke with clear communication and made people confident.

If I had the power to order all of the Philadelphia region to read one book, it would be: Getting to Yes (see above).

And here's why: There are so many opportunities to make Philadelphia better. There are special interests out there that want to block progress. The process should be about win-win. This book speaks on how to solve problems having everyone work together, focusing on getting to the solutions, and takes out the people and the positions that seem to hold this "great" city back from being the "best" city in America.