Krutko, Paul

Ann Arbor SPARK, USA

Paul Krutko is Ann Arbor SPARK’s president and CEO. Ann Arbor SPARK is a public-private partnership of business, government and academic institutions working to create economic prosperity in the Ann Arbor area of innovation. In his role as CEO, he leads the organization’s efforts to expand the regional economy through initiatives to support entrepreneurs and early-stage companies accelerating their growth to full potential. SPARK implements a strategic framework designed to maintain and to enhance the region’s global competitiveness.

Paul has nearly four decades of economic and community expertise. He led San Jose, California’s economic development efforts in Silicon Valley where he served as the chief development officer. Paul founded Peloton Development, a consultancy devoted to advising businesses and municipal, regional, state and national governments on economic development and climate prosperity strategies and on creating high performing economic development leaders and teams. Paul was responsible for downtown development under Mayor Michael White in Cleveland and Mayor John Delaney in Jacksonville, Florida.

He earned a Bachelor of Urban Planning and Design degree from the University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, and Art. In addition to his responsibilities as SPARK CEO, Paul Krutko was honored to serve as chair of the preeminent professional economic development organization in the world, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). He was designated an Honorary Life Member of IEDC in 2013. Paul is the immediate past Chair of the Board of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) serving in that capacity from 2019 to 2021. He is also treasurer of the American Center for Mobility.