SAN DIEGO -- All Optical Networks, Inc., an innovative developer of photonic products, today announced the appointment of Ralph A. Bennett, as Chief Executive Officer, providing a breadth of leadership and experience to the company. Bennett's distinguished career in the telecommunications industry began at Fairchild and ITT Semiconductors. He then emerged to become a leading figure in the founding of Mitel Semiconductor (NYSE: MLT), the original CEO of RSA Security (NASDAQ: RSAS), and founder and original CEO of PMC-Sierra, Inc. (NASDAQ: PMCS). He came out of retirement to become All Optical Networks' President in December of 2000.All Optical Networks, Inc. strengthens its Chief Technology Office with the appointment of Dr. Arlen O. Barksdale. Mr. Barksdale has over thirty years of experience in electronic and semiconductor technology development. Most recently he was President and CEO of Hytec Group, a firm specializing in telecommunications data transmission, technical publications and customer computer application development. Within the academic community, Barksdale was Dean, Department Chairman and Professor at National University's Computer Science and Engineering department and at Rice University where he was a research fellow working with X-Band on II-VI semiconductors. Earlier he served as Director of Operations for Texas Instruments' calculator and computer products, PCB assembly, CMOS and silicon material divisions. All Optical Networks Inc. (AON)