SUBOPTIC 2019 CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Gary B. Smith is President and CEO of Ciena, a global network strategy and solutions company that delivers best-in-breed technology by driving openness and choice in the market to interconnect the lives of those around the world.

Under Smith’s leadership, Ciena has grown from approximately $300 million in annual revenue to a nearly $3 billion annual revenue run rate, with #1 or #2 market share globally in every category the company participates in, including packet-optical and data center interconnect. As one of the fastest-growing companies in the sector since 2001, Ciena’s 5,500+ employees serve more than 1,300 customers across 60 countries, including 80% of the world’s largest service providers as well as cable operators, web-scale companies, governments and large enterprises.

One of the longest-serving CEOs in the technology sector, Smith, 57, has successfully led Ciena through two recessions. Named CEO just before the unprecedented telecommunications industry downturn in 2001, Smith formulated and executed on a strategy to transform Ciena from a company with a narrow product line and concentrated customer base to a broader solutions-based business with a more diverse set of customers. During that time, he oversaw the acquisition and integration of multiple companies in high-growth markets, while reducing Ciena’s operating expenses by more than 50 percent. From 2003 through 2008, Ciena achieved a market-leading 30 percent average compound annual growth rate (CAGR), including 19 consecutive quarters of revenue growth. In 2010, Smith secured Ciena’s global leadership in the sector by steering the acquisition of Nortel’s Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN) business through a highly competitive and complex bankruptcy sale process.

A citizen of both the U.S. and UK, Smith has lived on three continents and worked extensively on six. He joined Ciena in 1997 to launch its international business, later leading Worldwide Sales before becoming Chief Operating Officer in 1999 and CEO in 2001. Prior to Ciena, Smith served as VP for Sales and Marketing at Intelsat, a leading provider of fixed satellite services, where he significantly increased revenue and profits and re-engineered the company for privatization. Before Intelsat, Smith held senior global executive roles in a number of pioneering European communications companies, including Cray Communications Group, Tricom Communications PLC, and Case Communications Group.

In 2011, Smith was appointed to the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC). Also that year, industry publication Light Reading inducted Smith into its Hall of Fame, based on his achievements and “staying power” as CEO. He is currently the longest serving chief executive amongst his industry peers. He also serves as a Director and Chair of the Governance and Nominations Committee of Commvault Corporation, a leader in unified database management software. Smith is a Commissioner for the Global Information Infrastructure Commission; serves on the Wake Forest University Advisory Council for the Center for Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship; and, participates in initiatives with the Center for Corporate Innovation.

Smith earned an MBA from Ashridge Management College in the UK. He is an avid photographer, competitive CrossFit athlete and advocate, and resides in Maryland, USA, with his wife and two children.