LINTHICUM, Md. -- CIENA® Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN), a leading global provider of innovative network solutions, today announced that Nick Jeffery, currently Vice President and General Manager of CIENA's international operations, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales. In addition to his ongoing international leadership role, Jeffery takes over direct responsibility of CIENA's worldwide sales efforts from CIENA President and CEO Gary Smith.

"While I will continue to spend considerable time fostering and nurturing relationships with CIENA's growing customer base and will remain heavily involved in our sales efforts, it is clear that Nick's sales and leadership skills make him the right person to take over CIENA's day-to-day global sales leadership," said Smith.

"As CIENA's transformation to a global, strategic networking solutions provider continues full throttle, the demand for focus and execution from our worldwide sales team is accelerating," said Jeffery. "CIENA's sales organization is ultimately responsible for translating the Company's market expansion strategy into revenue growth. In the last year, we have revamped and realigned our sales team, honing our data focus and expertise, and I am confident we possess the right combination of skills, vision and opportunities to drive CIENA's success."

Prior to joining CIENA in June 2003, Jeffery spent 11 years at Cable and Wireless, where he held a number of senior sales and marketing positions, most recently as CEO of the Global Enterprise and Service Provider Business Units. In addition to driving profitable growth he delivered substantial cost savings, led the creation of Cable and Wireless' India Centre of Excellence in Bangalore, and successfully restructured its US and UK small and medium enterprise business divisions.

Ciena Corp.