San Diego Entrepreneur Stephen Cushman
Named Chair of SDSU Business College Board

Contact: Randy Carmical, Director of Communications
(619) 594-0206 Randy.Carmical@sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Monday, April 24, 2006  – Stephen P. Cushman, president and CEO of Cush Enterprises, has been named Chair of the San Diego State University (SDSU) College of Business Administration Board of Directors. He joined the Board in 2004.

Cushman, a fourth generation San Diegan, has continued his family’s tradition of service to the community. He has served on more than fifty boards and commissions, including chair of the San Diego Convention Center, chair of the board of directors for the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, past Chair of the Acura National Dealer Council, past Deputy Chair Republican National Convention Host Committee, and past director of the San Diego Urban League.

Currently, he is a Commissioner for the San Diego Unified Port District and is Secretary of the Board of Directors of Sharp Healthcare. He also serves on the Board of Hubbs Seaworld Research Institute, serves on the board of California Motor Car Dealers, and was President of the 2005 Holiday Bowl. As president and CEO of Cush Enterprises (formerly Cush Automotive Group), Cushman is a recognized leader in the automotive sales industry.

“I am honored to take this leadership position on the College of Business Administration Board,” Cushman said. “The college has generated some of our community’s top business leaders, several of whom are on this Board. It is my goal to build upon all the hard work the college has done thus far and take it to the next level.”

Cushman replaces Duane Roth, CEO of CONNECT, who stepped down as Board Chair, but remains a member. Founder and Chairman of the Board of Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp., Roth serves on a number of boards and executive committees, including BIO and BIOCOM.

“This is an exciting time for our college,” said College of Business Administration Dean Gail Naughton. “We have many new programs and initiatives underway that will help our students be successful in this global business environment. We are very fortunate to have someone with Stephen’s knowledge and experience leading our Board as we solidify our position as a leader in global business excellence.”

On April 26 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, Cushman will be the guest speaker at the Entrepreneurial Management Center’s Business Forum presentation titled “Driving the Deal: Lessons Learned in the Sale of a Privately Held Company” where he will discuss the lessons learned through the sale of Cush Auto Group (now Cush Enterprises). For additional information, please call (619) 594-2781, or email emcforum@projects.sdsu.edu.

With over 5,500 students, the SDSU College of Business is one of the largest business schools in the U.S. Its programs in international business and graduate entrepreneurship are ranked among the top programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report. This year, the college is celebrating “50 Years of Educating San Diego’s Business Leaders.”

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degree in 72 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU’s more than 33,000 students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future.