College Announces Three New Board Members

Susan Nowakowski
susan Susan Nowakowski, CEO and president of AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. (NYSE: AHS), has joined the Board. Nowakowski, an SDSU alumna, received her MBA in 1989.

Nowakowski joined AMN Healthcare in 1990. She has been president since May 2003, a move which distinguished her as the only female president among the top healthcare staffing companies in the nation. In 2003, Nowakowski also was honored
as a recipient of the San Diego Business Journal's “Women Who Mean Business Award.”

Dean Gail Naughton said, “Susan is a highly-respected business leader with experience in venture capital, life sciences, and healthcare services. Under her leadership, AMN Healthcare has grown to over $1 billion in annual revenue which makes them the largest provider of temporary healthcare staffing in the United States. She is a wonderful example of a successful SDSU alumna and her expertise will help further the development of our college and we are proud to have her join our Board.”

Nowakowski has also served as the company's chief executive officer since May 2005; chief operating officer from December 2000 through May 2005; as executive vice president from January 2002 through May 2003; and as senior vice president of business development from September 1998 to December 2000. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Playtex Products, Inc. (NYSE: PYX), American Staffing Association, and Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center at the University of California San Diego.

Michael Cunningham
Mike Dr. Michael Cunningham, founder and former CEO of Cunningham Graphics International, Inc. (CGII), has joined the CBA's Board of Directors.

Cunningham founded CGII in 1989, took it public on Nasdaq in 1998 and then sold it to Automatic Data Processing Inc. in June of 2000. At that time, CGII had annual revenues of approximately $185 million and employed over 1,500 associates worldwide. CGII has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the graphic communications industry, providing time sensitive graphic communications services and outsourcing solutions to an international blue chip client base.

Cunningham is a clinical professor of entrepreneurship at SDSU, as well as a research professor from industry in Cal Poly's Graphic Communications Department. His research interests include organizational culture, mergers and acquisitions, entrepreneurship, empowerment and general management. In 1999, Cunningham was awarded the New Jersey Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the business services category, one of the preeminent awards program honoring outstanding leaders of fast growing companies. In 2000, he received the British American Chamber of Commerce Trans Atlantic Entrepreneurial award. Cunningham also is on the advisory boards of the SDSU CBA Entrepreneurial Management Center, San Diego Foundation, New York University Stienhardt School of Education, and Kean University Media and Communications School.

Dean Gail Naughton said, “Mike's success as a professor and his accomplished business career give him a perspective on both ends of the spectrum that will be very insightful to our board. His commitment to Cunningham Graphics is evident in its successful revenues and fast growth, a commitment I am sure he will extend to our board.”

“I am excited and honored to serve on SDSU's College of Business board,” said Cunningham. “I look forward to working with Gail and the other distinguished board members in shaping and implementing innovative and relevant strategies that will help ensure our students' success in this dynamic global economy.”

John Kontopuls
SDSU alum, John Kontopuls, has been named to the College of Business Administration Board of Directors.

Kontopuls is the president and CEO of Elite Show Services, San Diego's largest provider of security and other support staff for a wide variety of events including: conventions, trade shows and sporting events.

Prior to starting Elite with his older brother, Gus, in 1995, Kontopuls worked as a lending officer at Great American Bank. Kontopuls also currently owns Kontopuls Financial Group.

“The growth of Elite Show Services over the past 11 years truly shows John's entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in managing the growth of his business,” said Dean Gail Naughton. “He is a passionate leader who values his employees and their personal and professional growth. We are honored to have him join our board.”

Elite Show Services has been built around a vision that event security is a customer service business. The company's customers include Qualcomm Stadium, the Padres, the Holiday Bowl, Cox Arena and the San Diego Convention Center. With 200 full-time employees and 2,500 part-time employees, Elite had revenue for fiscal 2005 of more than $12 million.

Under Kontopuls, Elite became one of the first security companies in the state to provide extensive employee training, offering programs to help workers improve their skills and advance their careers. In addition, Elite has been a leader in hiring senior citizens and disabled individuals.

email: business@sdsu.edu