President and CEO Waechter departs Viavi

Well, that didn't take long. Apparently off for a new challenge after overseeing the split of JDSU into Viavi Solutions and Lumentum, Thomas Waechter has stepped down as Viavi's president and CEO. He held the top spot at Viavi for less than two weeks. Viavi Chairman Richard E. Belluzzo will serve as interim president and CEO until a replacement for Waechter can be found.

After recently overseeing the separation of JDSU into two public companies (see, most recently, "Viavi Solutions, Lumentum begin life as JDSU is no more") and leading the company through significant changes during his more than six-year tenure, Waechter will pursue other business and personal interests, Viavi said in a press release. A statement from Waechter was not included in the announcement.

One from Belluzzo was. "We thank Tom for his contributions to the company since joining in 2007," Belluzzo said. "He has led the company through a period of significant transformation, including the successful spin-off of Lumentum Holdings. As Viavi moves forward, we will seek a new leader with strong industry knowledge and customer relationships, technical expertise, and operational acumen."

Meanwhile, the company says it will enlarge its board of directors from five to eight, including the new CEO.

"Viavi's Board is committed to implementing additional steps to enhance both its market position and shareholder value. The appointment of two new directors will add experience, expertise, and momentum to these efforts. Through this transition, our foremost focus will remain on delivering value to our customers and shareholders as we execute to our industry-shaping vision," Belluzzo concluded.

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