MUMBAI: US net service provider AOL has named nine members to serve on its board of directors.

They are Richard Dalzell, Karen Dykstra, William Hambrecht, Patricia Mitchell, Michael Powell, Fredric Reynolds, James Stengel and Jim Wiatt. They will join the AOL board when the separation from Time Warner is complete, with AOL CEO Tim Armstrong serving as chairman of the board.

In May, Time Warner had announced that its board of directors had authourised management to proceed with plans for the complete legal and structural separation of AOL from Time Warner.

Says Armstrong, "AOL is very fortunate to have an exceptional group of proven leaders to serve on our board of directors. AOL is on a mission to help create the future of media and content and the AOL board will play a central part in helping us focus the strategy and also operate the company with the highest ethical standards.

"These individuals bring independent judgment and a dedication to building shareholder value, and they will be a tremendous resource for our company, our employees, and our future."

Dalzell was Amazon.com senior VP, CIO until 2007. Dykstra is a partner at Plainfield Asset Management. Bill Hambrecht founded and has been WR Hambrecht chairman and CEO since 1998. This is a financial services firm specialising in Internet and auction processes.