Technology >> CEO Interviews >> April 19, 2004

BRIAN PROTIVA – ADVA OPTICAL NETWORKING (ADVA.F)

BRIAN L. PROTIVA is Chief Executive Officer of ADVA Optical Networking. Mr. Protiva co-founded ADVA in 1994 and as Co-Managing Director, he initially focused on creating ADVA's marketing, sales, and growth strategy, and from 2000 to 2001 held the title of Chief Strategy Officer, responsible for the areas of engineering, strategy, the acquisition of four companies, and the integration of these engineering sites and product platforms. In 2001, he was re-appointed Chief Executive Officer in order to reshape the business to meet changing market conditions, and lead ADVA through the industry downturn to growth opportunities beyond. Prior to ADVA, he joined AMS Electronic in 1987 and built the company into a leading distributor of high-tech products and systems in Europe. Mr. Protiva received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Profile
TWST: Could we begin with an introduction to ADVA, including a brief

historical sketch and a quick picture of your core markets and core

activities?

Mr. Protiva: ADVA was founded in 1994 to