QL2 Software Inc., a publisher of market intelligence applications, reported Wednesday that it has hired Russ Aldrich as chief executive officer. The Seattle-based company described Aldrich as a veteran of the software and venture capital industries. QL2 said his past experience includes several years as a consultant to early stage startups as well as a stint as executive director of Seattle VC firm Guide Ventures LLC. Aldrich was also a co-founder of Simba Technologies and has held executive positions with Silicon Graphics, Unisys, Altos Computer Systems, Apple Computer and Xerox.