Lumentum names Finisar's Pfistner to datacom VP role
Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LITE) has poached Chris Pfistner from Finisar (NASDAQ:FNSR) to be vice president, product line management, datacom products. Pfistner had been senior director, marketing at Lumentum's chief rival.
As his new title states, Pfistner will hold responsibility for Lumentum's datacom-focused products, reporting to Lumentum President and CEO Alan Lowe.
"Chris brings exceptional experience and additional depth to my staff as we implement initiatives to fully realize our datacom revenue and marketing goals," said Lowe. "I look forward to working with Chris, and the rest of the executive team, to move the company to the next level."
The experience Lowe mentioned includes more than 20 years of marketing, product definition, and senior leadership experience in a number of optical communications technology companies. For example, in addition to his stint at Finisar, Pfistner was vice president of product marketing at NeoPhotonics. He also served in various senior roles in marketing, sales, and product line management at such companies as Terawave Communications (which he co-founded), AFC, and Pirelli.
"I am excited to join Lumentum," Pfistner said. "I share Alan's vision for Lumentum, and I welcome the opportunity to work with strong internal teams to define winning products and to capitalize on the rapidly expanding datacom transceiver market. We have a deep portfolio of proven technologies, strong relationships with top-tier customers, and a proven worldwide sales team. I am enthusiastic about leveraging our strengths to deliver differentiated, customer-focused solutions."
Lumentum spun out of JDSU this past September. It chiefly comprises that company's former Communications and Commercial Optical Products business unit (see "Viavi Solutions, Lumentum begin life as JDSU is no more" and "Lumentum's Lowe sees opportunities -- and potential acquisitions").
For more information on transceivers and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.