Government Advisory Board

Ciena's Government Advisory Board provides counsel to Ciena Government Solutions, Inc., (CGSI) on the expansion of business with the Department of Defense (DoD) as well as for opportunities with both civilian agencies and research and education organizations.  The Board is comprised of respected senior-level technologists and government officials renowned for their leadership in solving the complex technical and operational challenges facing government agencies.  The members of the Ciena Government Advisory Board include:

Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D.
Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D. has served as Ciena's executive chairman of the board of directors since May 2001. Dr. Nettles previously served as the Company's chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer since October 2000. From April 1994 until October 2000, Dr. Nettles served as president, chief executive officer and director of the Company, and as director and chief executive officer from February until April 1994. Prior to joining Ciena, Dr. Nettles held positions at Blyth Holdings Inc., Protocol Engines Inc., and Optilink. Dr. Nettles is a Trustee for the California Institute of Technology.  Dr. Nettles serves on the board of directors of Axcelis Technologies, Inc., Carrius Technologies, Inc., a privately-held company, and The Progressive Corporation.

Arthur L. Money
The Honorable Arthur L. Money, with forty-one years of management and engineering experience with the defense electronics industry and intelligence community. Mr. Money served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (ASD (C3I)) from October 1999 until April 2001. He also held the senior-most civilian position with the Office of the ASD, serving as the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Information Officer (CIO). Additionally, Mr. Money has served as both the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Research, Development and Acquisition and as its CIO.

Lt. Gen. Minihan
Lt. Gen. Minihan (Ret) was the 14th Director of the National Security Agency/Central Security Service. During his military service at the national level, Lt. General Minihan demonstrated his commitment to making new technologies operational, implementing critically important services and products in a competitive environment in which lives were often at risk.  Since leaving government service in 1999, Lt. General Minihan has served as Chairman and President of the Security Affairs Support Association.  Lt. General Minihan has received numerous awards and decorations during his career, including the National Security Medal, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.

Larry D. Spilman
Larry D. Spilman has provided advanced information services and technology solutions to business and government for more than 30 years, as head of AT&T's Federal division, and most recently through his consulting practice, The Dalton Group, Inc.  Throughout the 1990's, Mr. Spilman managed the provision of vital technical services to civilian and defense agencies, including the delivery of specialized capabilities to support national command authorities and national security and intelligence agencies.  As Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AT&T's Federal sector, Mr. Spilman was responsible for managing a business of nearly $1 Billion in revenue while leading more than 3000 highly technical professional associates.

Sandra N. Bates
Sandra N. Bates is the former Commissioner of GSA FTS (Federal Technology Services).  Ms. Bates was named Commissioner of the FTS in March 2000, after just over two years as Deputy Commissioner.  FTS is the General Services Administration information technology and telecommunications organization that provides more than $5 billion in products and services to federal government agencies each year.    Ms. Bates began her federal career in 1969 with the GSA, working on the original government-wide long distance services program, FTS, as an agency liaison in the area of FTS and ADP acquisitions.  She transferred to NASA in 1979.  During her fifteen-year career there, she held various positions in telecommunications, including Program Manager for NASA's agency-wide local service program, and for their Program Support Communications Network.  In 1993, she was named Chief of Communications, with responsibility for all NASA operational, command and control networks, worldwide.   In 1996, Ms. Bates returned to GSA to take over the reins of FTS2000.  She served as the FTS Assistant Commissioner for Service Delivery until her appointment as Deputy Commissioner of FTS in November 1997.

Richard F. Kent
Richard F. Kent currently serves as CEO of Fedforce, LLC, a consultancy specializing in sales and marketing to the enterprise and federal marketplaces. He has more than 25 years of experience with high-technology firms, and has held various senior executive positions at FORE Systems/Marconi including President, Federal Operations and Executive Vice President, Americas. Mr. Kent holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, and holds an MBA from Loyola Sellinger School of Business.