The Company of Friends is not a store or restaurant, so we couldn't drop balloons or strike up the band when member number 1,000 joined. But we thought you might like to meet him.

Who: Curt Wehrley

Age: 34

Company: Software Synergy in Indianapolis, Indiana

Title: Account Manager. Handles sales and account-management duties for a fast-growing computer-consulting company.

Background: Degree in chemical engineering and applied statistics. Spent 10 years as an engineer and 1 year in Free Agent Nation as a computer consultant. Joined his current company in 1997.

Top Priorities: 'Definitely family' -- wife (Mandy), three-year-old daughter (Samantha), and one-year-old son (Devin).

Outlook: 'Even though I grew up in the Midwest, I have more of a West Coast attitude. I struggle with how I can implement West Coast thinking in a conservative Midwestern business climate.'

Why He Reads FC: 'To spot trends. I'd like to start my own company someday, and Fast Company helps me keep an eye on what's developing.'

Book Pick: 'Circle of Innovation,' by Tom Peters (Knopf, 1997)

Favorite Activities: Running, golf, basketball, and watching 'Barney' with his daughter ('I used to think the show was corny, but it's really not that bad -- Barney just gets a bad rap').

From: August 1998 issue