Billerica, MA -- March 2, 2004 - Continuum Photonics Inc., a supplier
of advanced photonic switch products, today announced it has appointed
Richard A Jacobsen to its Advisory Board. Rick brings more than 20 years
of sales, sales management, and marketing management experience from
the test & measurement industry to Continuum.
Mr. Jacobsen is a test & measurement and telecommunications sales & marketing executive with expertise in the deployment of world-class test products across the optical, wireless, wireline, RF, and microwave industries. Mr. Jacobsen has over 20 years of sales, marketing and general management experience at Agilent Technologies and Hewlett Packard. Early in his career Rick worked along side one of HP's founders, Dave Packard, as part of an acquisition team, where Rick was responsible for evaluating and recommending companies that had a strong fit with Hp's technical and business excellence. Progressing rapidly through a series of sales and sales management positions early in his career at HP, Rick became a General Manager of the Communications Test Division in 1995 where he was responsible for over $250M in sales.
In 1999 Rick assumed his current role where he is a Vice President
and General Manager for a multinational sales force that represented
over $750M in sales of telecommunication testing equipment, primarily
to the network equipment manufactures and their contractors. Rick's
current management responsibility covers 29 countries and, in addition
to his role as a sales manager, Rick is also responsible for the executive
relationships and strategic partnerships within Agilent's customer base.
Mr. Jacobsen earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
from Iowa State University, his Masters of Business Administration from
Saint Ambrose University and attended the Executive Management Program
at Stanford University.
"I have been very impressed with Continuum's team and product.
They've developed a unique solution to a broad array of switching applications
in the optical automation systems market", observed Mr. Jacobsen.
"I look forward to working with Continuum's team of executives,
investors and advisory board members as they progress towards solidifying
Continuum's position as a leader in this market."
"I am very excited that Rick has chosen to join Continuum's team
as a member of our Advisory Board," remarked Jeffrey Farmer, Continuum's
CEO, "Rick will add tremendously to Continuum's ability to effectively
target its DirectLight IG switch to the world's largest customers in
the optical automation systems markets."
Mr. Jacobsen will join Dr. Robert L. Martin, retired CTO of Bell Laboratories,
Mr. John Seazholtz, retired CTO of Bell Atlantic, and Professor Clayton
Christensen, an internationally recognized leader in technology strategy
and professor at the Harvard Business School, on Continuum's Advisory
Board.
Headquartered within Boston's high-tech beltway, Continuum is dedicated to bringing the highest performance photonic subsystem and system products to its customers. Leveraging commonality across its platform of patented technologies, DirectLight optical switches are the first in a series of products from Continuum aimed at changing the traditional economics of the communications and test industries. Founded in 1998, Continuum brings together a world-class team, and an extensive product history in aerospace, automotive, consumer products, and the military, where Continuum's products have been designed to meet the most demanding requirements. Continuum is supported through investments by Flagship Ventures, Prism Venture Partners, Harris and Harris Group, GE Capital, MTDC, Arcadian Venture Partners, and Gainesborough Investments.
For more information, please visit www.continuumphotonics.com
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For Continuum Photonics, Inc.
Aaron A. Bent, PhD
Continuum Photonics, Inc.
978-670-4910, x189