• by Tyler Loechner  @mp_tyler, February 27, 2013

Real-time programmatic buying optimizer Rocket Fuel today announced that Sue Bostrom, former EVP and CMO of Cisco, will join the company's board of directors. She is the first woman to join the Rocket Fuel board. 

"When we found Sue we were really pleased, because we were getting someone with significant board governance experience, compensation committee experience, and marketing excellence from Cisco, one of the most successful and well-run companies of the past 25 years," said Rocket Fuel CEO George John. "In addition, we plan to tap Sue's experience as we scale our own marketing of ourselves at Rocket Fuel."

But the addition of Bostrom to the board is important to Rocket Fuel on an even deeper level. Prior to Bostrom's arrival, the board at Rocket Fuel was all-male.

"There's one other important factor that I am really hoping will be significant, and that is the message our appointment of Sue sends to the women at Rocket Fuel and our business partners," John said. "There really is no limit to how far a woman can go at Rocket Fuel, and having Sue on the board reinforces how important we feel this is."

Rocket Fuel pursued Bostrom on a suggestion from one of its advisory board members. "He suggested Sue, and the rest is history," said John.