12 July 2013

NeoPhotonics names Rusnano USA president & CEO Dmitry Akhanov to board

NeoPhotonics Corp of San Jose, CA, USA, a vertically integrated designer and manufacturer of both indium phosphide (InP) and silica-on-silicon photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based modules and subsystems, has announced the appointment of Dmitry Akhanov to its board of directors.

Akhanov was appointed as the designated nominee of Open Join Stock Company ‘RUSNANO’, which has a contractual right to designate one nominee to NeoPhotonics’ board of directors since the Russian sovereign fund investor RUSNANO completed a private placement investment in NeoPhotonics in May 2012. Akhanov replaces previous nominee Sergery Polikarpov, who resigned from the Board in connection with Akhanov’s appointment. Akhanov holds a Bachelor's Degree in economics and law and a Master's Degree in economics from the Peoples' Friendship University in Russia.

During his professional career, Akhanov has had significant experience in infrastructure utilities, government and in the energy sector in Russia, says NeoPhotonics. Since 2010, he has been president & CEO of Rusnano USA Inc. Previously, he was head of the Russian Federal Energy Agency, which was responsible for the implementation of national energy policy and management of state-owned energy assets (oil & gas, coal and electricity industries). Akhanov also served as head of the Strategy Department of RAO UES (a state-owned electric power holding company in Russia), where he was actively involved in developing and implementing strategy for the restructuring of Russia’s electricity sector, and forming a new industry structure and electricity market model. In conjunction with this, Akhanov also implemented corporate projects for the separation, merger and acquisition of major energy companies in Russia. Akhanov has extensive experience in strategic planning, corporate finance and investor relations.

“We look forward to the insight and other contributions Dmitry will provide as the board guides the company during this period of exciting opportunity in the optical networking sector,” says NeoPhotonics’ CEO & chairman Tim Jenks. “Furthermore, we expect his personal experiences in the Russia market will bring an important new dimension to the board, especially with regards to developing new markets,” he adds. 

“I am impressed with NeoPhotonics technology and market development to become one of the leading suppliers of optical components for a variety of broadband access and high-capacity backbone networks around the world,” comments Akhanov. “The company has an important market position by virtue of its advanced PIC technology and commitment to customer service,” he believes. 

See related items:

NeoPhotonics opens Moscow sales and R&D office

NeoPhotonics receives $39.8m strategic investment from RUSNANO

Tags: NeoPhotonics PICs

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