OCTANe Board of Directors and CEO Matthew Jenusaitis Announce Organizational Transition and Succession Planning

ALISO VIEJO, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 19, 2015) - Matthew Jenusaitis and the OCTANe Board of Directors today announced that Mr. Jenusaitis will be leaving his current position as the president and CEO of the Southern California innovation catalyst effective February 28. Jenusaitis has accepted a position within the University of California San Diego Healthcare System.

Jenusaitis will remain on the OCTANe Board of Directors Executive Committee and assist with the Committee's search for a new president and CEO. In the interim, Paul Symczak, current vice president of Entrepreneurship, will serve as interim executive director of the OCTANe Foundation for Innovation, which includes the organization's signature LaunchPad SBDC program that assists entrepreneurs. Current vice president of Operations Janelle Brunette will serve as interim executive director of OCTANe, overseeing OCTANe's conference and networking entities, which include its Signature Events and other programs. OCTANe Chairman David Perry of Orange County Law Firm K&L Gates will serve in an oversight role.

"Matthew has led a transformation at OCTANe and truly established a foundation upon which we can continue our campaign to create 10,000 new jobs in Orange County by 2020," said Perry. "We are thrilled for Matthew and his new opportunity and appreciate his commitment in helping OCTANe further its goals and objectives as a member of the Board of Directors' Executive Committee."

During Jenusaitis' tenure, OCTANe expanded its efforts with the LaunchPad SBDC accelerator and broadened its sector focus with a partnership with Warren Moon, David Meltzer, and Sports 1 Marketing. Through these expansion activities, it is expected that OCTANe will increase its impact on job creation in Orange County. 

"We have accomplished great things over the last six years," said Jenusaitis. "The organization has assisted hundreds of start-up companies in raising more than $700 million in early-stage capital, supporting the creation of more than 3,500 new jobs in Orange County. I am honored to be a part of this organization and proud of the accomplishments of our team."

Added Jenusaitis: "I have spent the last 25 years in healthcare in the development of new technologies. There has never been a better time to fundamentally change the way that healthcare is delivered. This new opportunity will help me to further engage directly in the delivery of healthcare at the patient level."

OCTANe welcomes more than 7,000 people each year to its programs and has become a trusted resource for leading entrepreneurship in Orange County. Its membership includes more than 1,500 area business leaders. OCTANe also hosts two of Orange County's largest investor forums attended by more than a thousand people in both May and October. The next meeting, The Technology Investor Forum, is scheduled for May 5, 2015 at the Hotel Irvine.

About OCTANe

OCTANe connects people and resources to drive technology industry growth enabling new company creation and new jobs in Orange County. Its members represent Orange County technology executive leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, academicians, and strategic advisors, all working together to fuel innovation in the OC. The organization has helped more than 800 companies via the LaunchPad™ SBDC accelerator. LaunchPad™ companies have received more than $700 million in investment and equity exits. These investments have supported the creation of more than 3,500 new jobs in Orange County. OCTANe annually welcomes more than 7,000 people to its programs and events. More than 2,000 business leaders throughout the Orange County region are OCTANe members. For more information, visit www.octaneoc.org.