24 December 2013

NeoPhotonics appoints chief financial officer

NeoPhotonics Corp of San Jose, CA, a vertically integrated designer and manufacturer of both indium phosphide (InP) and silica-on-silicon photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based modules and subsystems for high-speed communications networks, has appointed Ray Wallin as senior VP & chief financial officer.

During more than 30 years in the high-tech industry, Wallin has held senior financial management positions at several high-growth semiconductor manufacturing companies and has extensive experience with both public and private companies including proven expertise in building a sound financial infrastructure within a company, says NeoPhotonics.

Wallin most recently served as CFO of Micrel Inc (which provides analog, high-bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions), where he led the finance, investor relations, human resources and IT departments globally. He drove a strategy of improving gross and operating margins, reducing manufacturing and overhead costs, and maintaining a strong balance sheet and cash flow.

Wallin is “a seasoned semiconductor industry veteran with an exemplary track record of managing complex components businesses with global manufacturing operations,” says chairman & CEO Tim Jenks. “We are looking forward to Ray’s contributions as we continue to grow our business, expand our operations including in Asia, and strive to increase shareholder value,” he adds.

“The company is well positioned to maintain its leadership position in the accelerating global adoption of 100G,” believes Wallin. “I look forward to helping strengthen the company’s systems and controls while working to improve its overall financial performance.”

Prior to his role at Micrel, Wallin was CFO of Neterion, which provided 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) adapters for server and storage environments. In his prior role as CFO & senior VP at public analog semiconductor company Sipex Corp, he managed all financial and legal functions for the firm. He was also responsible for re-listing the company on the NASDAQ Capital Market and managing a multi-year restatement process, bringing the firm current with its periodic SEC reporting requirements.

Prior to Sipex, Wallin was CFO of iWatt and Kendin and held senior finance positions with Cirrus Logic. He holds a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science in Economics with Honors and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Oregon.

Wallin succeeds Cal Hoagland, who has been  interim CFO since September. To provide additional continuity with ongoing financial reporting and control improvements, Hoagland (a partner with CFO services firm FLG Partners) is expected to continue in an executive consulting role with the firm through the filing of its annual report on Form 10-K for 2013.

Tags: NeoPhotonics PICs

Visit: www.neophotonics.com