Economic Development Veteran Paul Krutko Selected Ann Arbor SPARK President, CEO

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Krutko has been selected as the new president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, the region's driving force of business attraction, expansion and retention. Krutko will join Ann Arbor SPARK on April 18 and will oversee the organization's continued efforts to expand economic opportunities in the Ann Arbor region through collaboration with local, state, federal and university resources.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110329/DE73578 )

"Paul has impressive experience in economic development in Silicon Valley, Jacksonville and Cleveland, and a driving passion for innovation economies," said Dr. Stephen Forrest, chair, Ann Arbor SPARK board of directors and vice president for research at the University of Michigan. "His experience will ensure that SPARK fulfills its promise for building the region's economy and its national presence. I am certain that Paul will lead SPARK as a preeminent economic development organization that attracts the best and brightest from across the U.S., while at the same time providing jobs for our own, local talent. Paul will propel the strategic path forward, working with Ann Arbor SPARK's collaborators in local and state government, education and business."

Krutko brings over 31 years of economic and business development expertise to Ann Arbor SPARK. Recently, Krutko led San Jose's economic development efforts.  He has also worked for the cities of Cleveland and Jacksonville.  

"Over the last nine years, I've worked in the heart of Silicon Valley, one of the most innovative places in the world," Krutko said. "The opportunity to come back home to the Midwest and join an organization that's becoming known across the country for its work in changing Southeast Michigan's economic destiny, is exciting."

Krutko is secretary/treasurer of the International Economic Development Council. He co-chairs the organization's Economic Development Research Partners subsidiary.

Krutko earned a bachelor of urban planning and design degree from the University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture and Art.

Krutko assumes the president and CEO position from Michael A. Finney, who left the organization in December. Skip Simms, who was serving as Ann Arbor SPARK's interim president and CEO, will resume his position as the organization's vice president, entrepreneurial business development.

ABOUT ANN ARBOR SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is the driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention, and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK represents all communities in Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Washtenaw County etcs/Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

SOURCE Ann Arbor SPARK

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