SAN DIEGO -- PacketLight Networks, a leading developer of integrated optical transport systems for the metro, announced today that Robert L. Barron has joined its board of directors. Barron is CEO, president and chairman of the board of LightCross, Inc. -- a Monterey Park, Calif.-based provider of integrated optical networking components -- and also serves on the board of several other companies. A communications industry professional for more than 20 years, Barron brings to the PacketLight board extensive experience in marketing, sales, technical, operations and executive management. Before joining LightCross in 2001, he was president of Lucent Technology's Metro Optical Networking Group, following Lucent's acquisition of Chromatis Networks, where he was CEO. Prior to that, Barron was vice president of Nokia's Broadband Services division, after Nokia acquired Diamond Lane Communications, where he held the same title. He has also served as group vice president and general manager of Stanford Telecom and in executive positions at Harris Corp., Autek Systems Corp. and Zitel Corp. PacketLight Networks