Monday, March 10, 2008

Women to Watch

Wendy Frey Caswell: Satisfaction in starting from scratch

By Amber Gay

Instead of working for someone else, Wendy Frey Caswell is focusing her energy and drive on her own company. She has been the president and CEO of Zink Imaging Inc. since founding it in October 2005. She has been involved in every aspect from finalizing the products to recruiting partners.

Zink stands for zero ink. Instead of using ink held in cartridges, Zink's printing system uses colorless dye crystals embedded into a special photo paper with a protective polymer overcoat. Heat from the printer activates the crystals, releasing the colors that make the images.

"This is our year," Caswell said. "After lots of research and working with our partners, we are bringing our product to the market. We are focused on delighting our customers with these products."

Caswell, who has more than 20 years under her tech belt, worked as executive vice president of corporate strategy and business development for Polaroid Corp. prior to starting Zink. While with Polaroid, she also co-led the sale of the company to Petters Group Worldwide.

Before accepting a position with Polaroid, Caswell co-founded Ammasso Inc., a venture-funded company that develops Ethernet-based networking interconnect products for the computing industry. Prior to that, she worked with 15 global technology companies to launch Converge Inc. She also has experience as vice president of corporate strategy at Compaq Corp., where she led a team focused on strategy initiatives, business acquisitions, new business incubation and strategy communications. Prior to Compaq, she held several positions with Digital Equipment Corp. before becoming its vice president of corporate strategic planning.

Now, after more than $200 million invested and eight years of research and development in Zink's technology, 2008 will be the first year its products will be for sale.

Caswell announced in January that Polaroid, TOMY Co. Ltd., Foxconn Technology Group and ALPS will be the company's first partners. The first product from Polaroid is a digital instant mobile printer that enables wireless printing from camera phones and digital cameras.

"There is nothing like creating a great company from scratch," Caswell said. "It gives tremendous pride and enormous satisfaction to take something from the genesis of the idea and bring it to life. We want to employ the best and the brightest to have fun and do good work."

Business aside, Caswell says her biggest accomplishment has been raising her 27-year-old daughter, now a schoolteacher in Burlington, Vt.

"No matter what, you should do whatever you want," she said. "There is always a path that will get you there. It may not be easy and it may not be quick but I think everyone has a destiny, especially with their careers."