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FRED G. CUTLER NAMED DIRECTOR OF UCSD CONNECT

Fred G. Cutler has been named director of the UCSD CONNECT program, a university/private sector partnership founded by the University of California, San Diego to accelerate the creation and growth of high-technology companies in the San Diego region.

Cutler's appointment makes him only the second director in UCSD CONNECT's 15-year history. He succeeds the late Bill Otterson, CONNECT's founding director, who developed the program from a consortium of 28 companies and sponsors into a nationally recognized network of more than 800 members and sponsors.

"Fred Cutler is an outstanding choice to lead this pivotal regional program," said UCSD Chancellor Robert C. Dynes. "His academic background and his extraordinary track record as a high-tech entrepreneur will serve him well in setting the future course of CONNECT."

Cutler, 55, holds a Ph.D. in marketing research and social psychology from the University of Southern California. He was a founder of DigitalStyle Corporation, a web software start-up that merged with Netscape Communications. After two years with Netscape/AOL in new business development, Cutler became an active private investor and board member in numerous San Diego-based start-ups. He has been involved with many CONNECT companies, and he has served as Entrepreneur in Residence at San Diego State University's Entrepreneurial Management Center.

"I am excited by this unique opportunity to help drive the San Diego region into the national forefront of high technology business growth," said Cutler. "UCSD CONNECT has done a superb job over its 15-year history. I look forward to working with the CONNECT team to move this great organization forward."

Malin Burnham, chair of the search committee, said, "We were tremendously impressed with Fred Cutler's skills and enthusiasm, and we are confident that he will take the CONNECT organization to the next level of excellence."

UCSD CONNECT was recently credited by a Small Business Administration study with providing the stimulus for San Diego's emergence as a center for a number of technology industries. The program is administered through the university's Extended Studies and Public Programs division.

"We are very enthusiastic about this new chapter for CONNECT," said Mary Walshok, Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Programs and Dean of University Extension. "This program has grown every year in size and diversity. Fred will continue that growth, particularly in supporting more student and faculty initiatives in the entrepreneurial arena."