University of Maryland Business School Appoints Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship...

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Mon Jun 1, 2009 10:36am EDT

University of Maryland Business School Appoints Dingman Center for
Entrepreneurship Director of Investments

COLLEGE PARK, Md., June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Dingman Center for
Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of
Business today announced Craig Dye has joined the center as director of
investments. In his new position, Dye will be leading the continued growth of
the Dingman Center's Capital Access Network, a successful angel investment
group focused on funding early-stage deals up to $1.5 million. He will lead
the network's growth and support the Dingman Center's continued efforts to
fuel economic development and job creation throughout state and region.

"Craig will help us continue the center's role in supporting economic
development and innovation throughout Maryland," said Asher Epstein, managing
director of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship. "His investment and
entrepreneurial experience brings a valued set of skills to lead the Capital
Access Network's growth."

The Capital Access Network - in partnership with regional tech councils,
incubators and state-funded institutions - is one of the Mid-Atlantic's
largest angel investment networks linking entrepreneurs with potential
investors. Dye's management role also will support efforts to expand the
Dingman Center's regional presence and outreach across the university's
campus.

Dye brings more than 20 years of investing experience, information technology
expertise and operational management to the Dingman Center.  Previously, Dye
served as an advisor to the Affinity Lab, an incubator for corporate and
social entrepreneurs that has helped launch and sustain numerous successful
companies and nonprofits in the mid-Atlantic region.
 
Prior to joining Affinity Lab, Craig was the chief operating officer of
Articulated Impact, a software development and Web strategy company that
provides solutions to the challenges of top-tier companies, hedge funds and
nonprofits.  Before that, Dye was the founder and CEO of Wheelhouse Networks,
delivering enterprise-class computing and telecommunication platforms as a
managed service to corporations and professional services firms.

He began his career with Informatics General (since acquired by CA Inc.), one
of the first technology services companies in the nation, and subsequently
served as the chief information officer for Hogan & Hartson, supporting its
growth into a $1 billion legal services leader and more than doubling in size
during his tenure.

Dye serves on the board of directors of a number of companies and advises
startups and nonprofits in the metropolitan area. He received his bachelor of
arts in political science from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

About the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship
The Dingman Center has been a hub of campus and regional entrepreneurial
activity for more than 20 years. Among the Dingman Center's resources are its
Capital Access Network (CAN), a pipeline that connects startups from regional
tech councils, incubators and state-funded institutions with a network of more
than 32 active, accredited angel investors and venture capitalists for
early-stage capital. The Center also helps lead the University of Maryland's
Technology transfer programs and provides MBA and undergraduate students at
the Smith School with practical experiences and opportunities to pitch their
business ideas, obtain feedback from experienced entrepreneurs-in-residence
and access funding.

About the University of Maryland'sRobert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader
in management education and research. One of 13 colleges and schools at the
University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate,
full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, executive MS, PhD and executive
education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community.
The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning
locations on three continents -- North America, Europe and Asia. More
information about the Robert H. Smith School of Business can be found at
www.rhsmith.umd.edu.

    Contact: Carrie Handwerker
    301-405-5833
    chand@rhsmith.umd.edu




SOURCE  University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

Carrie Handwerker of Robert H. Smith School of Business, +1-301-405-5833,
chand@rhsmith.umd.edu
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