7 October 2013

POET appoints RapidIO Steering Committee chairman Gagnon to Special Strategic Committee Advisory Board

POET Technologies Inc of Toronto, Ontario, Canada – which, through subsidiary OPEL Defense Integrated Systems (ODIS Inc) of Storrs, CT, USA, has developed the proprietary planar-optoelectronic technology (POET) platform for monolithic fabrication of integrated III-V-based electronic and optical devices on a single semiconductor wafer – has appointed Stephane Gagnon to its Strategic Special Committee (SSC) Advisory Board.

Gagnon has over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor, telecom and processor industry. His most recent role was senior director of product management for Integrated Device Technology (IDT), where he drove business strategy for the RapidIO switching and IP product line (with primary responsibilities including overall strategy and product marketing, in addition to business development and the management of international customers and partner relationships). Gagnon became involved with the RapidIO Trade Association (RTA) Technical Working Group 13 years ago and has held the position of chairman of the RTA Steering Committee for more than 3 years.

Prior to his role at IDT and Tundra Semiconductor Corp (acquired by IDT), Gagnon held positions at Motorola and Nortel Networks. He has a BSc in Computer Engineering from Laval University.

“He is current in terms of industry relationships and has demonstrated the ability to drive new technology into the marketplace, as he did in achieving 100% market share in the LTE Wireless Base station business at IDT with RapidIO,” comments Peter Copetti, executive director and chairman of the SSC.

As an advisor to the SSC, Gagnon will be granted incentive stock options to purchase up to an aggregate of 300,000 common shares, representing 0.23% of the firm’s outstanding shares. The stock options are exercisable at a price per share of CA$0.43 (expiring on 4 October 2018), based on the closing trading price on 4 October 2013. The options will vest and be exercisable on the basis of 25% on the date of grant and 25% every six months thereafter.

See related items:

POET endorses Special Strategic Committee’s recommendations for next phase of commercialization

OPEL achieves Milestone 6 in POET platform development roadmap ahead of schedule

OPEL’s AGM agrees name change to POET Technologies Inc

Tags: OPEL ODIS POET

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