The San Diego 500, The Book of Influential Business Leaders, is the market’s most comprehensive product of people you should know in the business community. The 500 includes business leaders and executives who have founded or are running significant companies in terms of number of jobs, key products and services, experts who raise the level of the industry here and beyond and those who lead in the business community. The 500 is selected by the San Diego Business Journal newsroom.

Eric Otterson

Managing Director, Silicon Valley Bank

As the managing director of Silicon Valley Bank, Eric Otterson works closely with high growth companies to provide strategic direction and connect clients with financial, legal and strategic resources that fuel their growth. He has close relationships with angel investors, venture capitalists and private equity firms as well as industry leaders to help bank clients. Otterson is a serial entrepreneur, who has launched three venture capital-backed companies. The largest, eAssist, raised more than $60 million to support its international expansion. It sold to Talisma in 2006. He co-founded Startup San Diego, a volunteer network of entrepreneurs who provide coaching and contacts for sales and financial backing.

ALMA MATER: University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Daily gaining an entrepreneur’s trust through: providing real, strategic advice.

BEST ADVICE: Experience makes the difference. Read, ask and listen to accelerate yours.