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Governor Schwarzenegger Appoints Two Members of the Regents of the University of California

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointments of Fredrick Ruiz and Paul Wachter to the Regents of the University of California.

"Education is crucial to the growth and development of all levels of California's rich and diverse economy and culture," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "As successful members of the business community, Paul and Fred understand the critical role of higher education in the future of our state and they will bring tremendous experience to the University of California Regents. Both share in my commitment to strengthening California's university system and continuing our long tradition of providing affordable, quality education to students in this state."

Ruiz founded Ruiz Foods with his father in 1964 and has worked to build the business over the past 40 years. Since its inception, the company has become a leading manufacturer of prepared frozen Mexican dishes and the largest employer in Tulare County. In addition to managing his family business, Ruiz is an active member of the community. He is advisor and founding member of the Institute for Family Business at California State University Fresno and serves on the president's advisory board for the University as well as the University of California, Merced Foundation board. In addition, Ruiz is a member of the boards of directors of the Hispanic College Fund, California Chamber of Commerce, the McClatchy Company, and Valley CAN "Clean Air Now." Ruiz, 60, of Parlier, attended the College of the Sequoias. He is a Republican.

Watcher has more than twenty years of experience in the investment banking and investment management industries. In 1997 he founded Main Street Advisors where he currently serves as president and chief executive officer. Previously, he served as managing director of Schroder Wertheim where he managed the firm's West Coast investment banking effort. From 1987 to 1993 he was managing director of Kidder Peabody where he founded and was responsible for the firm's Hotel, Resorts and Leisure Group. Watcher's experience also includes service on several boards including; the After School Allstars (formerly the Inner City Games Foundation) from 1999 through 2003, the board of governors of the Southern California Special Olympics and as chair of the Austrian Holocaust Reparations Committee. Wachter, 47, of Los Angeles, is a graduate of Columbia School of Law and of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is registered decline-to-state.

These positions require Senate confirmation and are unpaid.

The Regents of the University of California are entrusted with the management and operation of the University of California system which includes more than 201,000 students and 160,000 faculty and staff, with more than 1.2 million alumni living and working around the world. The University's fundamental missions are teaching, research and public service. There are 25 Regents including the governor, who serves as the chair, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the Assembly, the superintendent of public instruction, the president and vice president of the University of California Alumni Association, the president of the University, one student, 2 faculty members (non-voting) and 18 public members appointed by the Governor to 12-year terms.

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