Randy Talbot is CEO of Symetra Financial Corp., which sells life insurance, group medical products and retirement plans. He is on the board of the American Council of Life Insurers, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Washington Roundtable, a nonprofit public policy organization. Symetra ranked first in revenues on Washington CEO's Top 100 Private Companies list.

What is your favorite place in Washington?

Home.

What is your idea of happiness?

I really enjoy being with my family. A minimum of three nights a week we all cook and eat together.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Raising my children to be independent and to learn how to make it on their own.

What do you most regret?

No regrets. That's the way I live my life. If you think too much about the past, you can't focus enough on making a difference in the future.

Who in history do you most admire?

Ronald Reagan, because of his ability to rally people.

What Washington CEO do you most admire?

Kerry Killinger, CEO of Washington Mutual. If you look at where he started, it is simply amazing what he has done for WaMu and for the state of Washington.

What personal trait would you rather not have?

Not feeling the need to get into so many details within the businesses that I run.

What trait bothers you most in others?

Whining.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

People sometimes have a perception that CEOs have to constantly be these exacting, stoic individuals. But I personally take many things to heart - I am not a steel-reinforced CEO. I think it's important to be connected to those around you.

When do you find it necessary to lie?

Lying sets you up for a very poor outcome. It just never works.

What person do you most despise?

A false leader, because in the end they hurt people.

What is the greatest love of your life?

My wife and three wonderful children, of course, but also my dad and mom. I wouldn't be where I am today without their guidance and encouragement.

When were you most happy?

I'm happy right now, and I plan to stay that way.

What talent would you most like to possess?

Being on the money with a 24-foot jump shot. I actually played one year of college basketball at the University of New Mexico. Then I found out that without a consistent long-range jumper, there were going to be a couple of, let's say, height issues with my basketball career going forward.

What is the greatest obstacle to Washington's future?

Excessive and overly complex regulation. The private sector is the engine of our state's economic growth. We are not an island. If Washington hinders the private sector's ability to be competitive, we will lose ground against other states and other countries.

What is your most significant achievement?

Definitely helping to create Symetra as an independent company and, in so doing, keeping a leading life insurance and financial services company right here in Washington.

What attributes do you like in a man or woman?

Integrity, optimism and a strong work ethic. Who is your favorite author and why? Lewis Carroll, who said, "If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there."

Who is your favorite hero of fiction and why?

Forrest Gump, because he saw life like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get!

What turns you off the most?

It's probably more in the "pet peeve" category, but people not answering their e-mails and telephone messages in a timely manner really bugs me.