Fremont, CA, November 5, 2002 -- Avanex Corporation announced that veteran senior financial executive Bruce C. Pollock has joined the company as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Pollock most recently was chief financial officer with WaveSplitter Technologies. A member of the senior executive team, he was responsible for all aspects of finance and administration, including financing, accounting and reporting, planning and budgeting, information technology, legal affairs and facilities.

"Bruce Pollock is a powerful addition to the Avanex executive team," Paul Engle, Avanex president and CEO, said. "He brings more than 25 years of diverse business, financial and general management experience to the company, and he is recognized for his strong management background, strategic focus and seasoned business judgment. His telecommunications industry experience and management skills are decided assets as we continue to drive improvements in our financial performance and our competitive position in the marketplace."

Since the mid-1980s Pollock has been a senior financial executive with several public and earlier-stage high-technology companies. He has extensive experience in strategic and business planning, investor relations, public and private financing, licensing, intellectual property management and mergers and acquisitions.

Before joining WaveSplitter, Pollock was senior vice president and chief financial officer with Walker Interactive Systems, Inc., a Nasdaq-quoted company that he helped return to growth and profitability after a period of declining revenues and financial losses.

Previously, Pollock also was executive vice president and chief financial officer with VMX, Inc., the company that invented voice messaging, and executive vice president and chief operating officer with Compath National, a company he also served as division general manager/regional general manager, vice president, corporate development and general counsel. Pollock succeeds Jessy Chao, who announced his intention to leave Avanex by the end of the current quarter to pursue other interests.

For more information, visit www.avenex.com .