LightPointe Appoints New CEO

SAN DIEGO -- LightPointe, a designer and manufacturer of optical wireless products based on free-space optics (FSO) technology, announced today that Jim Cady has been named president and chief executive officer.

Cady has devoted his entire 22-year career to driving the success of leading technology companies. He has held senior operating and executive positions with responsibility for domestic and international profit and loss management while establishing a proven record of growing market share, revenue and profit margins. Most recently, Cady was president and chief executive officer of WatchGuard Technologies, a leading provider of Internet security products and services. Prior to WatchGuard, he was president of Rio Digital Audio, a leading provider of digital audio products and services. Cady also has held executive-level management positions at Diamond Multimedia and Supra Corporation.

“LightPointe has proven itself as the leader in the development of the technology at the core of its optical wireless solutions,” Cady said. “The opportunities and growth potential in wireless are substantial and LightPointe is committed to continued leadership in the ‘last mile’ market.”

"During his career, Jim has led strategic product development that launched new products to global markets, generating significant revenue growth," said Ben Terk, a member of LightPointe's board of directors and partner with Rho Ventures. "We are confident that Jim will leverage LightPointe's technology portfolio and customer base enabling the company to become an even more dominate player in the 'last mile' wireless connectivity market."

David J. Parker, a member of LightPointe’s board of directors and partner with Ampersand Ventures, said: “Jim is a proven winner who has demonstrated his ability to lead companies through his vision, expertise and actions.”

Also announced today is the further strengthening of LightPointe’s management team with the naming of Bob Preston as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. A Silicon Valley marketing veteran with extensive experience in launching companies, products and services, Preston has held senior-level marketing and sales positions with Storm Technology and Xircom, both during the start-up phase to initial public offering (IPO). Most recently, he headed his own marketing consulting company, MarketSpring Inc.

“Bob is a seasoned marketing professional who knows what it takes to win in the competitive technology market,” Cady said. “I am very pleased to have Bob as part of the team at LightPointe as we enter into an exciting time.”

LightPointe Communications Inc.