Scifres Joins Network Elements' Board

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Network Elements Inc.(NEI), a leading manufacturer of high-performance10Gb/s optical networking modules, today announced theaddition of respected industry authority Donald R.Scifres to the company’s Advisory Board.

Dr. Scifres most recently served as the co-chairmanand chief strategy officer of JDS Uniphase (JDSU), aworldwide leader in optical technology. Prior tomerging with JDSU, Scifres served as the president,CEO and chairman of SDL, Inc., the industry’s premierhigh power semiconductor laser supplier. Scifresguided SDL to wide industry acclaim and success sincethe company’s founding in 1983 through the merger withJDSU in 2001.

“We are proud to have Don Scifres working with us.Don’s industry experience and success will enable usto reach the next level of growth through increasedsales and industry partnerships,” said Bruce Murdock,President and CEO of Network Elements. “In addition,Don’s skills in navigating our industry will heightenthe momentum of our Micromodule technology platform,advancing industry-wide optoelectronic integrationwhile propelling Network Elements to the head of themarket.”

“I expect Network Elements to continue finding successand look forward to assisting in their drive towardsthe top,” said Scifres. “The company’s recentinnovations in Micromodule technology reflect theircommitment to constantly increase the level ofperformance well beyond much larger industryincumbents.”

Regarded as one of the most respected leaders in thefields of optics and optoelectronics, Dr. Scifres hasbeen awarded more than 130 U.S. patents, whilepublishing more than 300 technical papers. Scifres hasreceived numerous industry awards including awards forthe distributed feedback laser, the vertical cavitysurface emitting laser and high power semiconductorlasers. Dr. Scifres served as president of the Lasersand Electro Optics Society and is a Fellow of IEEE,the Optical Society of America and a member of theNational Academy of Engineering. Scifres is nowchairman of investment firm SDL Capital LLC.

Network Elements Inc.