Technology >> CEO Interviews >> May 8, 2014

Interview with the Founder, Chairman, CEO and President: GigOptix, Inc. (GIG)

Katz, Avi
Dr. Avi Katz is the Founder, Chairman of the board, Chief Executive Officer and President of GigOptix, Inc. He has served as the Chairman of the board of directors, Chief Executive Officer and President of GigOptix LLC since inception in May 2007 and through its public offering in December 2007. Previously, Dr. Katz served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of iTerra Communications LLC, Intransa Inc. from 2003 to 2005 and Equator Technologies Inc. from 2000 to 2003. Earlier he served in various sales, marketing and operational executive positions following his tenure service as a member of the technical staff in AT&T Bell Labs, Murray Hill, New Jersey, between 1988 and 1995. Dr. Katz is active in philanthropy and among others serves as a board member for the Israeli Venture Network, IVN, an NFP social philanthropy network. He holds more than 70 U.S. and international patents, has published approximately 300 technical papers and is the editor of a number of technical books. Dr. Katz received his Ph.D. in materials engineering from the Technion-IIT, Israel, and is a graduate of the Israeli Naval Academy. Profile
TWST: I’d like to ask you to begin with an introduction to the company, including some highlights from your history and some details about how you’ve grown through M&A.

Dr.