FCD announces 2009 board of directors

The Forum for Corporate Directors (FCD), a leading Southern California resource for achieving corporate board excellence and good governance, announces four new members to its 2009 Board of Directors. The new board members are Dave Berkus, former CEO of Computerized Lodging Systems Inc.; Bala Iyer, former senior vice president and CFO of Conexant Systems Inc.; Dennis Leibel, chairman of the board of Microsemi Corporation; and Ryan Rieches, co-founder and CEO of RiechesBaird.

“This organization has grown to be a real force in southern California over the past 15 years,” said John Rehfeld, FCD Chairman. “What started as a regional network has become one of the most notable professional and educational networks in the country. This board will be building upon the existing momentum to take FCD to a new level of relevance to its members.”

Berkus is acknowledged as one of the most active angel investors in the country, having made and actively participated in 68 technology investments. He is past chairman of the Tech Coast Angels and currently serves as chairman of six of his portfolio companies. Berkus was also the founder of Computerized Lodging Systems Inc. (CLS), which he guided as CEO for over a decade, including two consecutive years on the Inc. 500 list. In 1999, Berkus was named “Director of the Year” by FCD for his successful directorship and CEO coaching efforts and was the featured speaker at the group’s annual dinner in May 2008. He will be involved in future program development for the organization.

Iyer began his career in the Silicon Valley, working for the semiconductor industry in both engineering and finance roles. Iyer has over 35 years of board service, including his current board positions at QLogic, Life Technologies, IHS, and Conexant Systems. In 2008, Iyer was named “Director of the Year” by FCD for Corporate Growth and Development. Iyer holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology; a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of California, Berkeley; and a master’s degree in finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. His expertise will be utilized working on the FCD corporate membership initiative.

Leibel is the founder and partner at a boutique financial advisory firm, specializing in assisting privately held companies in merger and acquisition transactions. Prior to that, he was the senior executive officer for a $2 billion multinational computer manufacturer, responsible for worldwide legal, tax, treasury, administrative and corporate secretary functions. Leibel currently serves on several boards and is chairman of the board for Microsemi Corporation, based in Irvine, Calif. Leibel is a member of the New York State Bar and is a CPA in New York and Mass. He will be working with other board members to develop the FCD corporate membership initiative.

Rieches has more than 20 years of business experience developing brands, aligning business strategies, and formulating integrated marketing programs. Co-founder of RiechesBaird, an internationally recognized leader in business-to-business branding, Rieches has worked with a broad range of clients including Toyota Industrial Equipment, Bosch, Mag-Lite, Irvine Company, and Rohl. Rieches is the recent past president of the Marketing and Advertising Global Network (MAGNET) and has been recognized by the city of Irvine for his many civic contributions. He will lend his extensive marketing and branding experience while working on the FCD corporate brand and membership initiative.

About Forum for Corporate Directors

Founded in 1991, the Forum for Corporate Directors is Orange County’s leading resource for promoting excellence in corporate governance and boardroom leadership to help directors and executives grow the value of their enterprises. FCD is a non-profit organization that offers dynamic forums for director peer interaction, conducts ISS-certified director education and development programs, and provides directors and executives of public and private companies the opportunity to gain valuable ideas and information that promote board leadership and corporate governance.

FCD’s members include many of Southern California’s top business and corporate leaders. In addition, corporate members include Advanced Medical Optics; Alacer Corp.; DDi Corporation; Emulex Corporation; HireRight; Local.com; MFLEX; Microsemi Corporation; National Technical Systems; Powerwave Technologies; Primal Solutions; QLogic Corporation; RealtyTrac, Inc.; Resources Global Professionals; SRS Labs; and UCI Merage School of Business.