All Optical Networks Strengthens Management Team; Ralph A. Bennett Appointed Chief Executive Officer; Dr. Arlen Barksdale Named Chief Technology Officer.

Business/Technology Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2001

All Optical Networks, Inc., an innovative developer of photonic products, today announced the appointment of Ralph A. Bennett, as Chief Executive Officer, providing a breadth of leadership and experience to the company.

Bennett's distinguished career in the telecommunications industry began at Fairchild and ITT Semiconductors. He then emerged to become a leading figure in the founding of Mitel Semiconductor (NYSE: MLT), the original CEO of RSA Security (NASDAQ: RSAS), and founder and original CEO of PMC-Sierra, Inc. (NASDAQ: PMCS). He came out of retirement to become All Optical Networks' President in December of 2000.

"We have technology that will lead the industry away from the current O-E-O and transition to O-O-O, providing for faster performance while securing the current legacy infrastructure," says Bennett. This was the lure that brought Ralph Bennett to San Diego since his retirement from the telecommunications industry.

"All Optical Networks has great ambitions," comments Dr. John Ryan, Principal and Chief Analyst for RHK, Inc., a leading telecommunications industry consulting firm. "Realizing these ambitions will take strong leadership and a great team. Putting Ralph Bennett at the helm adds real muscle to its efforts on improving the optical infrastructure through the commercialization of their technology."

All Optical Networks, Inc. strengthens its Chief Technology Office with the appointment of Dr. Arlen O. Barksdale. Mr. Barksdale has over thirty years of experience in electronic and semiconductor technology development. Most recently he was President and CEO of Hytec Group, a firm specializing in telecommunications data transmission, technical publications and customer computer application development. Within the academic community, Barksdale was Dean, Department Chairman and Professor at National University's Computer Science and Engineering department and at Rice University where he was a research fellow working with X-Band on II-VI semiconductors. Earlier he served as Director of Operations for Texas Instruments' calculator and computer products, PCB assembly, CMOS and silicon material divisions.

"I'm honored to be working alongside a distinguished management team of proven industry leaders and eager to share my technical experience in solid state and nuclear physics," said Dr. Barksdale. Barksdale adds, "I was excited to join All Optical Networks after learning that its first product, the MetroScout(TM), a four-channel optical multiplexer, won the Editors' Choice Award from Communications News Magazine after its debut at SuperComm."

About All Optical Networks, Inc.

Based in San Diego's high-tech corridor, All Optical Networks, Inc. provides illuminating innovation to the telecommunications industry and beyond. The company's 40,000 square foot facility features advanced photonic labs for the research and development in optical technology that will drive the communications network infrastructure one step closer to light-based computing. For more information, visit the company's web site at http://www.alloptical.net or call 858.623.5400.