CHICAGO -- Stratos International, Inc. (Nasdaq: STLW - News), a leading provider of optoelectronic, fiber optic, and radio frequency (RF) and microwave subsystems and components, today announced that Phillip A. (Andy) Harris has been elected President and Chief Executive Officer by the company's Board of Directors.

Andy Harris has been a director of Stratos International since 2003. Mr. Harris was Executive Vice President of Sprint North Supply, a telecommunications equipment distributor from 1993 until his retirement in 2001. Mr. Harris was a member of the compensation committee and chaired the governance committee of the Company's board of directors. He has relinquished those committee roles effective immediately but will remain on the board.

According to Reg Barrett, Chairman of the Board at Stratos, "Andy's background and experience will be a major help in navigating Stratos International through the changing landscape of our technology markets. His understanding of the industry and our customers make him uniquely qualified to lead Stratos through its next chapter."

"I feel greatly honored to have been asked to lead the firm during this challenging and exciting phase of its development," said Harris. "This company has a long history of providing quality components that serve our customers in the telecom, military/aerospace and video markets. We are at an inflection point and we will push ourselves toward improvement and innovation."

The Company's former Chief Executive Officer, James McGinley, resigned as an officer and director of the Company in November 2004 in order to pursue other interests.

As previously announced, the board continues to explore various strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, including the possible sale of the Company. The Company has retained CIBC World Markets Corp. as its exclusive financial advisor. There is no assurance that a transaction will result involving the Company. In the meantime, the Company expects to continue operations as usual by seeking new business, developing new products and working with customers to maintain a high level of customer service.

Stratos International Inc.