Registry to List Minority Board Candidates

The secretary of state’s office, moving to encourage corporations to place more minorities and women on their boards of directors, has lined up Cal State Fullerton to establish a database of qualified applicants and corporations seeking their services. A computer will match candidates with companies based on candidates’ qualifications, experience and education. Only Wisconsin is believed to have created a similar state-funded center. “Putting women and minorities on boards enhances the richness of an organization,” said S. Irene Matz, a faculty member at Fullerton’s School of Business Administration and Economics. Matz hopes the new California Corporate Board Registry will have 2,500 individuals and 300 to 400 companies by year’s end. Individuals pay a $200 fee to be included for two years. Corporations would pay a one-time fee of $500. Fullerton has donated office space and $50,000 for the program, enough to keep it operating for 18 months.