🚀 go-pugleaf

In January, CREN retained Michael B. Luskin, principal of Luskin
Associates, to facilitate CREN's search for an Executive Director.
Luskin's firm specializes in executive search for higher education and
consortia, with emphasis on positions in information technology.

The CREN Board met with Luskin at its February meeting and reviewed with
him the responsibilities and personal qualities it is seeking in its
Executive Director.  S/he will be responsible, in cooperation with the
Board, for defining and implementing CREN's business and strategic
plans.

Luskin is now actively seeking candidates for the position; nominations
for candidates should be sent to him via e-mail at
          LUSKIN@BITNIC   or   Luskin@bitnic.educom.edu
or via postal mail.

The position announcement follows.


                        MICHAEL LUSKIN ASSOCIATES
                       EXECUTIVE TERRACE SUITE 200
                            BEAVER HILL SOUTH
                           JENKINTOWN, PA 19046
                               215.576.1410


   THE CORPORATION FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL NETWORKING

                         EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The not-for-profit Corporation for Research and Educational Networking,
"CREN", was formed in 1989 through the merger of BITNET and CSNET, and
is governed by a twelve member Board of Directors.  BITNET was begun in
1981 to provide networking services to higher education and today links
institutional and departmental computers at 580 CREN members in the
United States, including universities, colleges, and affiliates.  With
cooperating networks abroad, BITNET forms a logical network linking 3500
computers at 1500 organizations in 47 countries.  CSNET was formed at
the same time as BITNET, to link computer science departments at
institutions across the United States.

CREN provides moderate speed, reliable, and inexpensive networking.  The
BITNET technology is simple to install and requires minimal local
support.  Users share information several ways:  electronic mail to
individuals at member sites, transfer of data, documents and programs,
access to BITNET server systems, and quasi-interactive messages.  Users
at member sites have easy access to discussion groups, 3000 of which are
currently active, covering almost every conceivable topic.  It is a
"store-and-forward" network;  members accept mail from other members and
forward it on predetermined paths to sites closer the destination.
BITNET uses IBM's RSCS/NJE protocol suite, and software has been
developed to provide RSCS emulation for VAX/VMS, UNIX, and other
environments, in addition to the IBM VM and MVS platforms. Gateways link
BITNET, the INTERNET, and other research and educational networks
worldwide.

The Network Information Center, the "BITNIC",  provides technical
support and other services to members.  The BITNIC writes and
distributes electronic newsletters and provides online and telephone
assistance to campus support personnel.  It maintains online file
servers which send technical notes, user documentation, node and
subscriber information, and archival files on command. The BITNIC
distributes updated routing tables to members monthly.

CREN has grown in size and complexity to the degree that it now needs an
Executive Director, who will be the chief operating officer. S/he will
be responsible for formulating and realizing a strategic plan relevant
to today's higher education and networking realities.  S/he will manage
conception of a vision of communications as it relates to the
administrative, instructional, and research needs of higher education
and allied organizations.  The Executive Director will expand CREN
markets.  S/he will be responsible for determining and satisfying needs
of members.  S/he will take the lead in expanding, modifying, adding,
and eliminating services, to help members maximize the impact of their
communications expenditures.  Finally, the Executive Director will
explore mergers, joint development, co-marketing, and other strategic
business opportunities.


SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and implement strategic and business plans for CREN

Deal proactively with the Board

Manage and report on the budget, finances, and personnel

Allocate technical and business resources

Represent CREN in national and international networking forums

Broaden the membership base, manage member relations

Develop a vision of the communications future for the benefit of members

Help promulgate standards and policies beneficial to higher education

Expand and strengthen CREN support services

Increase and modernize CREN technical offerings and products

Explore migration of BITNET from RSCS/NJE to TCP/IP

Investigate co-development with other providers

Appraise joint offering of technologies and services developed by
others, including the IETF, vendors, campuses, and CREN members


QUALITIES NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS

entrepreneurial
independent
business oriented, realistic
builder
organization person, not a loner
sees things from the user's point of view
leadership
service mindset
able to generate trust and respect from a distance
capable of managing many things at once
comfortable in complex technical and organizational milieux
broad familiarity with higher education and communications
salesmanship, excellent marketing instincts
fine speaker