4 October 2012

NeoPhotonics appoints former JDSU president to board

NeoPhotonics Corp of San Jose, CA, a vertically integrated designer and manufacturer of both indium phosphide (InP) and silica-on-silicon photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based modules and subsystems, has appointed Charles J. (Jay) Abbe to its board of directors as well as its Audit Committee.

Abbe served as president, chief operating officer and director of JDS Uniphase Corp from February 2000 until his retirement in June 2001. In 1996, he joined Optical Coating Laboratory Inc (OCLI) as VP & general manager of its principal operating unit. He was promoted to president & chief operating officer in November 1997 and to CEO in April 1998 and, during his tenure, OCLI’s market capitalization increased from $125m in 1996 to $1.3bn in late 1999. The firm was acquired by JDS Uniphase for $2.8bn in February 2000.

From 1990 to 1996, Abbe served in positions of increasing responsibility (including senior VP, electronics sector) at Raychem Corp. He practiced business consulting with McKinsey & Company in San Francisco from 1971 to 1989, serving the last seven years as a senior partner. Abbe began his career with the US Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory in Edwards, CA.

Abbe also served as a director of publicly traded optical communications firm Opnext Inc from January 2009 until Opnext’s acquisition by Oclaro Inc in July 2012, and has served as a director of semiconductor capital equipment company Cymer Inc since 2002.

“NeoPhotonics has become a leading vendor of integrated components for high-speed applications and coherent networks through the advancement of its photonic integrated circuit technology,” comments Abbe. “This company has an impressive core technology that offers tremendous potential for systems manufacturers and carriers to continue driving down their costs of delivery of bandwidth and flexible services in wireless and wireline networks,” he adds.

“Jay has a tremendous amount of experience in technology strategy and in telecom network business growth,” notes CEO & chairman Tim Jenks. “His personal achievements and insights for business expansion in these areas can bring an important new dimension to the board.” 

Abbe earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University as well as Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in chemical engineering from Cornell University.

Tags: NeoPhotonics PICs

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