ANN ARBOR ? Ann Arbor SPARK has named a Silicon Valley economic developer as its new president and CEO replacing Michael Finney who left that post in December to head up the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Paul 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.
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.
“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.”
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 earned a bachelor of urban planning and design degree from the University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture and Art.
He also is secretary/treasurer of the International Economic Development Council. He co-chairs the organization’s Economic Development Research Partners subsidiary.
When a SPARK spokeswoman was asked if Krutko was born in the Buckeye state, she said she’d have to get back to MITechNews.Com with the answer.
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