Gov. Gregoire appoints Jeremy Jaech to UW Board of Regents, reappoints Kristianne Blake

For Immediate Release: September 27, 2012

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Jeremy Jaech to the Board of Regents at the University of Washington.

"Jeremy�s one of Seattle�s most accomplished entrepreneurs," said Gregoire. "His innovative use of technology, commitment to research and development in software engineering within the university and the community will make him an incredible asset to the board and to the university. I am pleased to welcome him to this new role."

Prior to his appointment, Jaech co-founded and became chief executive officer of WatchFrog, Inc., a company that is using technology developed at the University of Washington and Georgia Tech to deliver sensors and web services to those at risk to home hazards, conditions and threats. Jaech has extensive experience in co-founding and running corporations such as the Aldus Corporation, Visio Corporation, and Trumba Corporation. He has also been a vice president of the business tools division at Microsoft and has worked as a Boeing computer software engineer.

"It's an honor to serve at this great university," said Jaech. "I'm very passionate about the UW and the impact it has on our region and the world. I hope my appointment will pay forward all the wonderful benefits the UW has provided me, my friends and family, and my community over the years."

In 2009, Jaech was named one of the top 25 Innovators & Entrepreneurs by Seattle Business Magazine and in 2006, won the UW College of Engineering Diamond Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

Jaech is currently serving on the boards of the Voyager Capital Advisory Board, Doyenz, Inc., Mindjet Corporation, Trumba Corporation, Cozi Group, Inc., and UW�s College of Engineering Visiting Committee.

Jaech earned a bachelor�s degree in mathematics in 1977 and a master�s in computer science in 1980 from the University of Washington. He currently lives in Seattle.

Gregoire also announced her reappointment of Kristianne Blake to the Board of Regents.

"Kristianne has done a tremendous job serving on the board and I am very pleased to reappoint her for a second term," said Gregoire. "Her leadership and stewardship has helped the UW become one of the best universities in the nation. I look forward to what she and the board will accomplish together in the next six years."

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