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Kenneth R. Klein Is New USC Trustee

June 25, 2009 8:03 AM

  • Kenneth R. Klein Is New USC Trustee
  • Kenneth R. Klein

Kenneth R. Klein, chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of Wind River Systems Inc., has been elected to the USC Board of Trustees.

A global leader in device software optimization, Wind River provides standardized technologies together with professional services and support to help companies develop, operate and manage “smart” devices ranging from mobile phones to robotic surgical instruments. Wind River technology is used in more than 500 million devices spanning the aerospace and defense, automotive, consumer-electronics, industrial and network-infrastructure industries.

Klein, who holds a dual bachelor of science degree in biomedical and electrical engineering from USC, gave $8 million to the university in 2005 to establish the Klein Institute for Undergraduate Engineering Life at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. With the mission of enhancing the undergraduate experience for engineering majors outside the classroom, the institute sponsors personal and professional programs centered on leadership, cross-disciplinary networking, globalization and community service.

“Ken Klein is an exemplary USC alumnus whose keen business sense and thorough knowledge of the entrepreneurial process, from inception to fruition, will make him a real asset to the board,” said USC President Steven B. Sample. “Another valuable strength he brings is his passion for giving back, for making sure that new generations of students at his alma mater will have opportunities to make the most of their experience here. We look forward to benefiting from his expertise and insights.”

A director at Wind River since 2003, Klein assumed his current position in January 2004. He is responsible for more than 1,600 employees in 15 countries. The company, which was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Alameda, Calif., recently entered an agreement under which it will be acquired by Intel Corp. to become a wholly owned subsidiary this summer.

Klein has more than two decades’ experience in the software industry. Before taking the helm of Wind River, he held a series of executive positions at Mercury Interactive Corp., a software company focused on business technology optimization. Over a period of 12 years, he helped transform Mercury from a pre-revenue start-up into a software powerhouse with operations in 35 countries. He previously held a variety of engineering, marketing and management posts at Interactive Development Environments, Daisy Systems and Hughes Aircraft Co.

Klein serves on the boards of directors of AmberPoint Inc., and BigFix Inc. He is also a member of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s board of councilors. He has previously served on the boards of Tumbleweed Communications and Navis LLC.

He lives with his wife, Natalie, and two sons in Atherton, Calif.