21 August 2003 San Jose, CA, and Ottawa, Ontario Lightwave --JDS Uniphase Corp. announced the retirement of Jozef Straus as CEO and co-chairman effective September 1, 2003. Succeeding Dr. Straus as CEO will be Dr. Kevin Kennedy, currently a member of JDS Uniphase's board of directors. Meanwhile, the company also announced that Syrus Madavi, director, president, and chief operating officer, has decided to "pursue future opportunities outside of JDS Uniphase" following a transition period.
The JDS Uniphase board of directors has requested that Dr. Straus retain a position on the board and assume the role of founder emeritus and advisor to the CEO. In conjunction with these executive changes, the company will consolidate its corporate headquarters in San Jose.
"After over 20 years as a founder and executive of this company -- a company that I have been immensely honored to serve -- I have requested that the Board accept my desire to retire as chief executive officer and co-chairman," said Straus. "I am honored, however, to have been asked to continue with the company as founder emeritus and advisor to the CEO, assisting with strategic and customer-related issues, while also remaining as a member of the board as a director. Kevin is a visionary and a motivator, with strong operational skills who will lead the company to a promising future.
"I would also like to express my appreciation to Syrus for the tremendous job he has done transforming and strengthening our company this past year. We are truly grateful to have benefited from his leadership during this period. Both Syrus and I will be working closely with Kevin as we make this transition," he concluded.
Kennedy has been a member of the JDSU board of directors since October 2001, as well as chairman of its Corporate Development Committee. Previously, Kennedy served as chief operating officer of Openwave Systems. Prior to joining Openwave in August 2001, Kennedy spent seven years at Cisco, last as senior vice president of the service provider line of business and Software Technologies Division, and previously spent 17 years at Bell Laboratories. Kennedy is also a Director of Openwave Systems, Quantum Corp., and Rambus.
"As a director of the company, I know first-hand the vision set forth and the opportunities ahead for JDS Uniphase," said Kennedy. "Jozef and Syrus have done an excellent job in laying out a framework for our bright future. I am honored to succeed Jozef and look forward to leading the JDSU team with a customer driven execution focus."