CEO Nettles to Chair Ciena Board

LINTHICUM, Md. -- CIENA Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN) today announced that it has named Chief Executive Officer Patrick H. Nettles as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Gary B. Smith, currently CIENA's Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Smith also was elected to CIENA's Board of Directors.

"We have always asserted that CIENA's key to success lies within the strength of its people. Under Gary's leadership as Senior Vice President and COO, CIENA has thrived in an intensely competitive optical networking market, making steady strides in new markets and global accounts," Nettles said. "His knowledge and experience with service providers around the world give him the insight to help solve our customers' business challenges and help them find new opportunities. We are pleased that Gary has accepted the additional roles of President and Director."

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