ADVA Optical Networking today announced a new member of its Supervisory Board, and reconfirmed changes in position by other members, including: 

•    Anthony Maher has been appointed Chairman; Albert Rädler, former Chairman, will continue to serve as a member of the Supervisory Board; 

•    Krish Prabhu joins Thomas Smach as a Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board; 

•    Bernd Jäger retired from the Supervisory Board; his position has been filled by Bernard Bourigeaud, who was elected by the Company’s annual general meeting in Meiningen, Germany, on June 10. 

Anthony Maher worked many years at Siemens between 1978 and 1997 in Germany and the U.S. His focus spanned software development and integration, system engineering, architecture and processor design. Until early 2002, Maher served as a member of the Managing Board for Siemens Information and Communication Networks (ICN) Group, where he presided over several ICN business units, its European regional business as well as the U.S. operations. He was also a founding chairman of Mustang Ventures, a venture capital unit at Siemens for wireless and wireline businesses. He also served as Chairman of the board of Unisphere Networks, Inc. (a Siemens-owned company), which was later acquired by Juniper Networks. Maher currently serves on the boards of numerous public and privately held companies. 

“Participating as a member of ADVA Optical Networking’s Supervisory Board for seven years, and now as its Chairman, I am always impressed by the tenacity of the company, its leadership and its staff,” stated Maher. “During the coming years, I look forward to further building strength in the corporate governance procedures and to delivering the highest value to ADVA Optical Networking’s stakeholders.”

Bernard Bourigeaud brings to the ADVA Optical Networking Supervisory Board extensive financial and operational experience. He was the founder of Atos Origin, a global IT services company, presiding over the growth of the initial organization through a number of subsequent mergers and acquisitions that led the company to its current status as a EUR 5 billion enterprise. He also created Atos Consulting after the acquisition of KPMG Consulting’s U.K. and Dutch operations. Before Atos Origin and its predecessors, Bourigeaud spent 11 years at Deloitte Haskins and Sells, where he led the management consulting group. Prior to that, he held several management positions in Europe for Continental Grain. He began his career with the French Bank, CIC, and Price Waterhouse. 

In September 2008, Bourigeaud was appointed to the Board of Directors of CGI Group Inc., a leading provider of technology and business process services with headquarters in Montreal. He is Senior Advisor to Apax Partners in France. He also serves on the Board of CEPS (Centre d'Etude et Prospective Stratégique), an independent and multidisciplinary think tank based in France. In 2007 Bourigeaud was appointed Affiliate Professor at HEC School of Management in Paris, and he is a member of HEC’s International Advisory Board. Bourigeaud currently serves as an advisor to the National Committee of French Foreign Trade (CNCCEF). 

“I am impressed with ADVA Optical Networking’s success over the last nine months, particularly in this time of economic uncertainty. To me, these are signs of strength and a determination to outperform,” stated Bourigeaud. “I look forward to using my experience and connections to drive increased business for ADVA Optical Networking in Europe with both telecommunications operators and enterprises.” 

“2009 has presented a challenging macroeconomic environment like none other we’ve seen. As we optimize our company for success in this environment, these changes to our Supervisory Board reflect our desire to build continued strength and vision for the future,” stated Brian Protiva, chief executive officer of ADVA Optical Networking. “New energy, new responsibilities and fresh perspectives will enable us to approach a challenging year with the best ideas and the soundest strategy possible. I look forward to working with all members of our Supervisory Board to lead us through the coming years.” 

The full Supervisory Board of ADVA Optical Networking now consists of the following members: Anthony Maher - Chairman; Thomas Smach and Krish Prabhu - Vice Chairmen; Albert Rädler, Eric Protiva and Bernard Bourigeaud - Members.