Synthonics Grows Board, Works for Smithsonian

Synthonics Technologies in Westlake Village, a developer of 3-D virtual reality imaging technology, has added three directors to its board as work begins on a major CD-ROM project for the Smithsonian Institution.

The new board members are Timothy G. Paulson, vice president and treasurer of Litton Industries; Timothy J. Andrews, senior vice president at Oaktree Capital Management; and Thomas K. Carpenter, vice president of sales and marketing for Odyssey Software. The additions bring Synthonics’ board membership to nine.

Paulson, a 28-year veteran of Litton, has held senior financial management positions for the company’s Amecon and Data Systems divisions. Andrews is a CPA and chartered financial analyst with 17 years experience in financial services. Carpenter has served in sales, marketing and corporate management positions in the computer and telecommunications industries for 24 years.

“In addition to bolstering our production staff to handle exciting new projects, the original directors of Synthonics saw the need to bring in additional strategic thinkers and seasoned corporate managers at the board level to help us reach the next stage of our business plan quickly and efficiently,” said Mike Budd, Synthonics president and chief executive officer.

“The intellectual resources and industry experience these new directors bring . . . is critical in terms of Synthonics’ future growth and development,” Budd said.

Synthonics is in the midst of a $5.5-million private placement of convertible preferred stock. It recently reached a deal with the Smithsonian to create a CD-ROM featuring 3-D digital models that let consumers interact with artifacts housed in the institution’s 16 museums.