Amber Networks Assembles World-Class Management Team; Core Engineering Talent and Management Execs From the Industry's Hottest Companies Team Up At New Telecommunications Firm.

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2000

Amber Networks, a developer of carrier-class networking products, today introduced a management team that includes respected industry engineering, sales, marketing and product development veterans from companies such as Cisco, Com 21, Lucent Technologies and ADC Telecommunications.

"The Optical Networking market is characterized by fierce, high-stakes competition, and the companies that will ultimately succeed are the ones guided by the most talented and experienced management teams," noted Peter Wagner, general partner of the venture capital firm Accel Partners. "Amber Networks is led by veterans of the telecommunications industry's most successful companies, executives that have already demonstrated their ability to anticipate carrier needs. This talent, combined with the company's breakthrough technology, is why we have invested in Amber."

Before joining Amber Networks as president and chief executive officer, Sam Mathan helped establish Ascend Communications as a dominant supplier of dial access, frame and cell switching equipment to RBOCs, IXC and the emerging carriers. He successfully merged the Ascend sales organization into Lucent Technologies. Prior to Ascend, he directed the product management and marketing team responsible for Pacific Bell's first series of network integration products and services.

"It's very exciting to be on the inside track of developing new telecommunications technology to shape the future of the Optical Internet," Mathan said. "Amber Networks' team of industry recognized engineers and managers have a history of successfully launching products that set new benchmarks. Amber's first product, which will be announced on June 6 at SuperComm 2000 in Atlanta, is a testament to this team's talent and forward-thinking ability."

An early pioneer in ATM Switch development, Amar Gupta co-founded Amber Networks and serves as its executive vice president and chief technology officer. Gupta is a recognized expert in the development of carrier class multi-service platforms and holds 12 patents in the areas of high speed and real-time communication network and architecture design. He was one of the key developers of successful products launched by StrataCom, Inc./Cisco Systems, including the BPX switch, the MGX-8220 (AXIS multiservice concentrator) and the MGX-8850 (Popeye).

High-tech industry veteran Ken Gorman serves as Amber Network's vice president of engineering. He was instrumental in establishing Com 21's leadership position in the global cable modem market and successfully led the company through its initial public offering in 1998.

Doug Stewart, vice president of sales, and Tony Ford, vice president of systems engineering, joined Amber Networks from Ascend/Lucent. Stewart was a key team member for Lucent's Internetworking Systems Group, responsible for sales of ATM, Frame Relay, Remote Access Switching and xDSL. Ford was a key member of the Ascend/Lucent telco sales organization, heading up the North American Systems Engineering organization.

The most recent addition to the Amber Networks management team is Alex Dobrushin as vice president of marketing. Dobrushin has managed marketing and product programs for a wide range of carrier service delivery and network systems at companies such as Atmosphere Networks and ADC Telecommunications.

Roy Rettberg brings 17 years of high-tech personnel management experience to his position as Amber's vice president of human resources. He led the human resources department at Ascend Communications during the company's period of steepest growth, and held similar positions at Sybase and Cadence Design.

About Amber Networks

Founded in 1998, Amber Networks is developing carrier-class networking systems that will shape the Optical Internet, enabling service providers to rapidly scale their services in ways that boost their competitiveness and profitability. Company headquarters are in Santa Clara, California. For more information, contact Diane Wilson at 408/845-5556 or visit Amber's website at http://www.ambernetworks.com.