Photon Control Technologies (PCT), a manufacturer of passive optical components and sub-systems, announced the appointment of Mark Thomas as President/CEO. Mr. Thomas has over twenty years experience in the telecommunications industry including 7 years as President/CEO of Standard Communications Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Marantz Japan, Inc. and N.V. Philips. Most recently, Mr. Thomas served as Group Director and General Manager of Passive Products Group, Fiber Optic Division of Tyco Electronics. Prior to joining Tyco Electronics, Mr. Thomas was Executive Vice President of Arroyo Optics, a venture capital startup in the optical passive components arena. Mr. Thomas replaces the founder, Ron Mathis, Ph.D., who was Acting CEO. Dr. Mathis will retain his Chairman/Chief Technology Officer duties.

"Mr. Thomas brings a strong mix of manufacturing, business development and financial management experience to PCT, the very skills that we need at this phase of our evolution as an organization, said Ron Mathis, Chairman/CTO and founder." Mark's extensive experience with both startup and large, multinational companies will serve us well as we begin the transition to commercialization and high volume production."

Founded in 1999, PCT is backed by XR Ventures, a venture capital firm established by X-Rite, Inc. and SBV Venture Partners along with individual investors. Photon Control Technologies employs 20 people in an 11,000 sq. ft. facility in Escondido, CA. PCT has a proprietary fused fiber technology process for automated high volume manufacturing with consistent high quality and low cost. Capabilities include: Coarse WWDM/CWDM and Dense DWDM Multiplexers/Demultiplexers, Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers, EDFA couplers, WDM and Specialty Couplers.

For more information, visit www.photon-control.com.