Daily News Briefs

JDS Uniphase Corp. has announced the upcoming retirement of Jozef Straus as CEO and co-chairman, effective Sept. 1. Kevin Kennedy, a member of JDS Uniphase's board of directors, will succeed Straus as CEO. The company also announced that Syrus Madavi, director, president and COO, has decided to pursue opportunities outside of JDS Uniphase following a transition period. The board has asked Straus to retain a position on the board and to assume the role of founder emeritus and advisor to the CEO. In conjunction with these executive changes, the company will consolidate its corporate headquarters in San Jose, Calif. JDS Uniphase is an optoelectronics company that manufactures laser subsystems and fiber optic telecommunications equipment products. . . .

George Hunter, an engineer with Zygo Corp., is the recipient of the 2003 A. E. Conrady Award from the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE), presented at SPIE's 48th annual meeting this month, for his contribution to the concept, design, construction and development of the GH interferometer. The GH interferometer, and subsequent instruments, enabled optics workers to accurately measure the optics they were making with major enhancements in productivity and quality.. . . Agilent Technologies Inc. has named Young K. Sohn as senior vice president and general manager of its Semiconductor Products Group, effective in October. Sohn was most recently the chairman and CEO of Oak Technology, a semiconductor company that provides digital media solutions for consumer electronics markets. He replaces Dick Chang, who will work with Agilent chairman, president and CEO Ned Barnholt, to identify and pursue new business opportunities for the company. Agilent, based in Palo Alto, Calif., develops technology in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis.