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LAWTON W. FITT JOINS CIENA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ciena Corporation (CIEN) today announced that Lawton W. Fitt, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Group, has joined Ciena's Board of Directors.

"Lawton's insight and broad industry exposure will be valuable to Ciena as we further expand our role in intelligent optical networking and pioneer new market opportunities," said Patrick Nettles, Ciena's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. "We are pleased to welcome her to Ciena's Board."

Ms. Fitt, 47, a partner at Goldman Sachs since 1994 and managing director since 1996, has been involved in investment banking and equity underwriting for high-technology companies, including numerous initial public offerings in the Internet, software and communications equipment sectors. Ms. Fitt currently is co-head of Goldman Sachs' European High Technology Investment Banking Group.

"As an established leader in pure intelligent optical networking, Ciena is helping to define an industry," Ms. Fitt said. "This appointment will allow me to contribute to the strategic direction of a dynamic company that is building the public network into a more strategic asset for service providers and their customers."

In addition to chairing the Corporate Financing Committee of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Ms. Fitt also serves as a director on the boards of Wink Communications, Inc., and e-Steel Corporation.

Ms. Fitt received an A.B. in European History from Brown University and her M.B.A. from the Darden School of the University of Virginia.