Metconnex Appoints Execs

OTTAWA -- Metconnex™, a leader in the delivery of wavelength selective switch (WSS) modules for use in reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs), today announced a significant expansion of its capabilities. These advancements include: three executive appointments, an increase in operations staff and facilities, and the broadening of its contract manufacturing relationships. This growth is in direct response to customer demand for the company’s WSS portfolio, which is driven by global service provider demand.

“Major carriers are today asking explicitly for ROADM/WSS as a key technology in their new metro optical networks,” said Scott Clavenna, chief analyst, Heavy Reading and author of the recent research report, “ROADMs and the Future of Metro Optical Networks”. “With the advent of the telco triple play and Ethernet services, simple ROADM functionality is not enough; true wavelength selective switching will be essential.”

In response to this growing demand, Metconnex today announced three executive appointments. With over 60 years of combined experience, the new management team members include: Vice President of Sales Doug Hornaday, Chief Financial Officer Barbara Darlow and Director of Operations Steve Bonham. Mr. Hornaday joins Metconnex from Bookham Technologies where he was director of North American sales. He previously held senior roles in sales, product management and engineering at Lucent Technologies, AT&T and WaveSplitter Technologies. Ms. Darlow has held senior finance positions at a number of multi-nationals including Mitel Corporation and Nortel Networks and start-ups including SiberCore Technologies, where she was most recently chief financial officer. Steve Bonham was formerly head of global manufacturing services at BreconRidge Manufacturing Solutions and director of operations at JDSU. These new additions will further strengthen the Metconnex team and drive the next phase of the company’s growth.

“I’m excited to be a part of Metconnex’s next growth phase, which is fueled by recent design wins and volume orders,” said Doug Hornaday, vice president of sales. “Major customers have recognized the cost, performance and size advantages of our 1x4 and 1x9 WSS, which are enabling them to deliver winning ROADM solutions demanded by service providers in North America, Europe and Asia.”

To meet existing demand, Metconnex has recently doubled the size of its operations team and facilities and deepened relationships with its contractor manufacturing partners. To meet further committed volume, Metconnex is accelerating the transfer of the products’ final assembly as the last phase of the company’s outsourced manufacturing strategy.

Metconnex