Internet Visionary and Successful Private Equity Investor Joins University of Maryland Business School

College Park, Md. May 2, 2005 - The Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, today announced that Mark Walsh, managing partner at Ruxton Associates, LLC, a private equity and investment firm, has joined the school's faculty as a senior executive fellow. Walsh will work with the faculty in the school's Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, a nationally-recognized, leading entrepreneurial center, to advise graduate business school students on the development of their businesses and to provide expertise to regional entrepreneurs.

Mark has earned a reputation for being a true visionary and ahead of the curve particularly in recognizing the potential of the Internet in impacting business," said Howard Frank, dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business. His knowledge and experience fit well with the Smith Schools focus on preparing leaders for the digital economy. I am pleased to welcome Mark to the Smith School community.

Walshs diverse career in interactive services and technology includes joining AOL in early 1995 where he created and ran AOL Enterprise, the business-to-business division of AOL. In mid 1997, he joined VerticalNet Inc, the internets first business-to-business platform, as the CEO. He took the company public in early 1999. He became chairman in late 2000. Walsh previously was the CEO of Air America Radio. He also served as the chief technology advisor for the Democratic National Committee and was the original head of Internet operations and strategy for John Kerry for President in mid 2003. Walsh has an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a BA from Union College in Schenectady NY, where he serves as a member of the Board of Trustees. He also serves on a number of venture-backed company and not-for-profit boards.

At the Dingman Center we recognize that direct access to experienced and successful entrepreneurs offers a tremendous resource and advantages for a growing business. Marks expertise across the business life cycle from start up to exit will be invaluable for our students and the entrepreneurs we assist, said Asher Epstein, managing director of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship.

In addition to his work with the Dingman Center Walsh will lecture for the Smith Schools MBA and executive MBA programs.

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research for the digital economy. 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, 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 in three continents including North America, Europe and Asia. More information about the Robert H. Smith School of Business can be found at www.rhsmith.umd.edu.

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