People

Karel Helsen has been elected as chairman of the new Deployment and Operation Committee of the Brussels-based Fibre to the Home (FTTH) Council. This newly created committee now combines the former Infrastructure and Architecture Committees while adding an economics dimension that includes capex and opex models for active and passive technology, case studies, and the evolution of FTTH technology deployment. Helsen is currently director of marketing for Amsterdam-based optical fiber technology specialist Draka Comteq.

Ikanos Communications Inc. has announced the appointment of Michael A. Ricci as president and chief executive officer. Ricci succeeds Daniel K. Atler, who served as interim chief executive officer from October 2006 until June of this year, and was previously Ikanos’ chief financial officer. Atler will continue as an officer of Ikanos and will be responsible for driving corporate development strategy. Cory Sindelar, who took on chief financial officer responsibilities in October 2006, will continue as the company’s chief financial officer.

NeoPhotonics Corp., a developer of optical network components, has appointed Michael G. Potter to the position of senior vice president and chief financial officer. In this position, Potter will oversee all aspects of the company’s financial operations, which include the company’s San Jose headquarters and large manufacturing operation based in Shenzhen, China. Potter most recently served as SVP and CFO for STATS/ChipPAC, Ltd. in Singapore.

Cube Optics AG, a supplier of engineered components and access network solutions to the telecommunications industry, welcomed Duncan Lewis as its new chairman of the board. With several senior executive roles in the telecommunications industry under his belt, most notably with Equant, GTS, British Telecommunications and Cable and Wireless, Lewis brings a wealth of telecommunications experience to Cube Optics.

Avo Photonics, specialists in optical packaging, has announced that Jeff Perkins, PhD, has joined the company as vice president of operations. Perkins will be responsible for management of Avo Photonics’ overall production services along with a host of specific free-space, military/medical focused processes. Perkins comes to Avo Photonics from JDSU, where he served as senior technical manager of process development and automation, operations, and then product development.