Technology >> CEO Interviews >> April 19, 2004
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 briefhistorical sketch and a quick picture of your core markets and core
activities?
Mr. Protiva: ADVA was founded in 1994 to