Matthew Jenusaitis will step down as president and chief executive of Aliso Viejo-based Octane to join the University of California San Diego Healthcare System.
He has led the group, which aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation here, since June 2009. His departure takes effect March 6, and he’ll continue to be “actively involved” as part of the board of directors, he said in a statement.
Octane Vice President of Operations Janelle Brunette is expected to serve as interim executive director during a search for Jenusaitis’ successor. The group’s vice president of entrepreneurship, Paul Symczak, will serve as interim executive director of the Octane Foundation for Innovation.
Octane has more than 1,700 members and hosts some of OC’s largest investor conferences. Its LaunchPad accelerator program, has helped early-stage companies raise more than $700 million in capital and create more than 3,500 jobs here.
