CHATSWORTH, Calif. -- Optical Communication Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:OCPI - News), a manufacturer of fiber optic subsystems and modules for metropolitan area networks and high-speed premises networks, announced the resignations of John Lemasters and Masao Konomi as Chairman of the Board and director, respectively, and the election of Hobart Birmingham and David Warnes as directors of the Company. John Lemasters stepped down from his position as Chairman of the Board but will continue to remain a member of the board, including his position on the audit committee. The board of directors has unanimously re-appointed Dr. Muoi Van Tran, OCP's Chief Executive Officer, as chairman of the board. "Although John's tenure as chairman of the board was brief, he made important contributions to OCP's strategic planning and business initiatives. I look forward to continuing the work begun by John to strengthen OCP's market position and shape OCP's vision for the future." Dr. Tran added, "We are very grateful to Mr. Konomi for his hard work and support as a director over the past year, and appreciate his contribution to our company. We wish Mr. Konomi well in his future endeavors." OCP today also announced that its board, pursuant to its authority under its certificate of incorporation and bylaws, amended its bylaws to increase the range of the size of the board from three to seven directors to five to nine directors, and set the size of the current board at eight directors. To fill the vacancies created by the expanded board, Hobart Birmingham and David Warnes have been elected to the newly expanded board, and have been appointed to the company's audit committee. Mr. Birmingham has also been appointed to serve on the compensation and special stock option committees. A total of eight directors now serve on OCP's board, including four independent directors. Optical Communication Products Inc. (OCPI)