Another interesting event took place during her fourth year at school. “Everyone had an opportunity to learn to play an instrument and I told my folks I wanted to play the clarinet. My grandfather and father played the drums and my dad asked me why I didn’t want to try that. I responded, ‘Girls don’t play drums!’ My father said, “Then why don’t you become the first and I’ll help you.” The kids razzed me a lot, but when spring concert came and they heard me perform, the razzing stopped. I became the number one drummer in junior high, and was asked to perform in an orchestra, which I did throughout junior high and high school. I also performed in marching bands, symphonic works, Broadway shoes, a small string quartet and the All Maryland Orchestra. I lettered in music in high school.”
One more life shaping event occurred during her high school years. “I learned to play golf in high school and the first summer I entered some local Maryland junior girl’s golf tournaments. I lucked out and won the most prestigious tournament by beating a seasoned gal from the Baltimore area that eventually played on the LPGA Tour. I wanted to play on the varsity golf team but women weren’t allowed. There wasn’t a women’s team and girls were not allowed to play on the boy’s team. My parents and I worked with our state legislature, and finally, by my senior year the law was changed to allow girls to participate in non-contact sports. I made the varsity golf team and teed off from the men’s tees, playing by the same rules as the boys. I never lost a match, maybe because the boys were so shocked and angry at having to compete against a woman who was hitting from their tees. I lettered in golf and it was a truly great experience.”
Linda began her career as a staff member with Senator Charles Mathias, Jr., a US Senator from Maryland, and spent eleven years there. She then worked for the Federal Highway Administration as a Program Analyst. Her next position was Deputy Associate Director for Program Affairs for the Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Office of the Secretary of Transportation. In a career move, she became Director of Communications, Astronautics Operations and from there she moved to Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver as Strategic Communications Director. In June of 2001, she formed her own business, Infinite Links, Inc., a corporate affairs firm specializing in government relations, public/private partnerships and strategic marketing communications.
What’s important in your life?
Work and being a success in whatever I do…and my family, friends and playing golf.
What’s in your future?
What’s next? I might go back to the government or the senate, but I’m really enjoying having my own business right now. I’m pretty open to whatever comes up.
What are your volunteer activities?
Board member for Colorado PGA, Chairman of Colorado Space Business Round Table, six year board member of Cancer League, Junior Achievement for three years, board member for Aurora Economic Development Corp., Colorado Space Grant Consortium, Challenger Learning Center of Colorado Springs, Meals on Wheels of Littleton, Samaritan Institute, Denver Metro Chamber board of Governors for seven years, and the Space Science Institute in Boulder. Also an active member in many other non-profit organizations.
Which social event is your favorite?
The Opera Ball
Favorite restaurant?
The Ivy in London, it’s where all the celebrities go. I love Thai food and they have great Thai restaurants in DC and I love the crab cakes and seafood at the Airport Inn in Hagerstown.
Who is the most interesting celebrity you have ever met?
Barbara Bush. She’s so warm and easy to talk to, so unassuming and genuine. When she’s talking to you, she really concentrates on what you have to say.
If your life were a movie, whom would you want to play your part?
Meryl Streep. She’s very smart and does a wonderful job. She’s not outlandish. I think she’s very classy, elegant and solid.
What’s your funniest memory?
We had a babysitter, Mary, who wouldn’t play with us. The minute my folks would leave, she would go through the book shelves and pick out a book to read. My sister and I wanted her to play; so I made up a story about all the books having just been sprayed for silver fish… and she bought it! She played with us the rest of the evening.
Do you have any pets?
No, I’m not home enough to have a pet but I enjoy little dogs.
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner about you?
That it was hardly lived in.
What word describes you best?
Well rounded and a quick study
How would you like others to describe you?
A quick study, high integrity, approachable and a genuinely nice person.
What was your first job?
In the Washington County, Maryland accounting dept
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I’m too critical
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Not pulling their own weight
What is your greatest indulgence?
Sorbet
What type of clothes do you like?
I love St. John. Almost everything I own is from St. John.
What is the best gift you have ever given?
When I go home and surprise my parents they love it and it’s always a great gift to them.
What is the best gift you’ve received?
A Caribbean sailing trip given to me by my parents
What or who is the greatest love in your life?
My mom, my dad and sister
What is your current state of mind?
90 miles an hour in a hospital zone
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I was able to deliver President Yeltsin to the CEO of Lockheed Martin during the Summit of the Eight.
What is your most treasured possession?
My sapphire and diamond ring that my grandmother gave me.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
To be a gentleman
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Good mind
Favorite books/writers?
I like non-fiction, mostly historical and biographical nonfiction.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Keep your head down and play your own game. Don’t get into a pissing match with a skunk.
Do you have a motto?
Stay focused
If you could come back in another lifetime, what/who would you like to be? And why?
Ginger Rogers. I’d like to be a dancer. I love to dance and don’t get a chance to do it very often.
What are your hobbies? Other interests?
Golf, traveling, biking, antiques
Who is your mentor?
My father, James Strine
What would you most like to be remembered for?
Making a difference
If you could go anywhere and do anything, what would it be?
I’d like to be President/CEO of the LPGA.
What do you like about the town you live in?
The people are so open and friendly and it’s a good place to do business.
