Brian Protiva

Brian Protiva co-founded ADVA Optical Networking in 1994 and, as one of two managing directors, he focused on creating ADVA Optical Networking’s marketing, sales and growth strategy. In 2001, Brian was appointed CEO and set in motion the strategies that fuel the Company’s success today. Under his leadership, ADVA Optical Networking advanced to become the global market leader in Ethernet access devices and one of the top players in metro Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) worldwide. To date, ADVA Optical Networking’s innovative Optical+Ethernet solutions have been deployed at more than 10,000 enterprises and more than 200 carriers around the world. Revenues reached more than EUR 215 million in 2008 (more than USD 315 million), while employment climbed to more than 1,000 employees at year-end 2008. Prior to ADVA Optical Networking, Brian was managing director at AMS Technologies (now the EGORA Group), which he joined in 1987 and where he focused on co-managing its subsidiaries.