Six San Diego Executives Named 2010 Director of the Year Honorees

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Corporate Directors Forum is honoring six of San Diego’s top directors at its 20^th annual Director of the Year awards.

“This year’s honorees have provided exceptional knowledge, insight and direction for the companies they represent”

“This year’s honorees have provided exceptional knowledge, insight and direction for the companies they represent,” said Janice Patterson, Director of the Year co-chair. “Corporate Directors Forum believes better boards make better companies, and these individuals have truly made their organizations better.”

Awards will be presented Sept. 30 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, and directors who will be recognized include:

John F. Schaefer, director, Websense, honored as Director of the Year for Corporate Governance. Schaefer was elected to the Websense board in 2001. As corporate governance chair, he increased interaction with shareholders, spearheading initiatives that led to changes in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Schaefer also serves as lead director, where he is an advocate for increased planning for board-level issues and formalized board education programs.

David L. Schlotterbeck, chairman and CEO, CareFusion Corp., honored as Director of the Year for Enhancement of Economic Value. Schlotterbeck has served as chairman and CEO of CareFusion since January 2009, after it was spun off from Cardinal Health. The spin off, led by Schlotterbeck, created more than $6 billion in additional shareholder value.

Douglas D. Wheat, chairman, AMN Healthcare Inc., honored as Director of the Year for Companies in Transition. Wheat has served as a director at AMN Healthcare Inc. since November 1999. He is currently the chairman of the board and has been an integral part of the company’s growth from $150 million to its peak revenue of $1.2 billion. In 2001, he played a key role in taking the company public.

S. Douglas Hutcheson, president, CEO and director, Leap Wireless International Inc., honored as Director of the Year for Corporate Citizenship. Hutcheson has been with Leap since its inception. He led the team that pioneered Cricket, Leap’s wireless service, and spearheads Leap’s commitment to the community. Hutcheson has secured resources for causes that include: the San Diego Children's Museum in downtown; joining Qualcomm to supply the San Diego police force with cell phones and wireless service; and volunteering with Rebuilding Together.

Robert J. Watkins, director, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., honored as Director of the Year for a not-for-profit board. Watkins has served as director at the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. for nearly 25 years and is a member of the organization’s executive and compensation committees. He has been vital to the organization’s development and the economic development of the region.

Malin Burnham, director, various boards, recognized for Lifetime Achievement in Corporate Governance. Burnham has chaired nine major nonprofit organizations and co-founded 14 organizations. Former chairman of John Burnham & Company Insurance and Burnham Real Estate, he is currently a board member of Sanford/Burnham Medical Research Institute, the UCSD Foundation, Rady School of Management, SDSU Campanile Foundation and USS Midway Museum.

The Director of the Year Awards dinner is open to the public and ticket prices are $225 per person or $2,000 for a table of 10. Sponsorships are also available. To make reservations, please call 858/455-7930 or e-mail [e-mail].

Corporate Directors Forum was founded in 1991. Its purpose is to help directors be better directors through education and peer networking. CDF’s core beliefs are that boards are strategic assets of corporations, education makes better directors, better directors make better boards and better boards make better corporations.