Couder Steps Down as Oclaro CEO

Laser and optical components provider Oclaro Inc. has announced that Alain Couder, the company’s chair and CEO, has retired and that board members Greg Dougherty and Marissa Peterson have been appointed CEO and chair, respectively, effective immediately.

Couder joined the company’s predecessor, Bookham Inc., as CEO in August 2007 and was elected board chair in July 2011. He led Bookham through its merger with Avanex Corp. to create Oclaro and also led the company through its merger with Opnext Inc. in July 2012 (See: Bookham, Avanex Form Oclaro and Oclaro Buying Opnext).

Prior to joining the company, Couder was president and CEO of three private companies, venture advisor to a venture capital company and chief operating officer of Agilent Technologies. He held various positions over the years with Packard-Bell NEC, Groupe Bulle, Hewlett-Packard and IBM.

“Oclaro has been one of the highlights,” Couder said of his career. “As I move on to retirement, I am confident that Oclaro is in good hands under the continued leadership of Greg Dougherty.”

Dougherty has served as an Oclaro board member since 2009. He has substantial experience in leadership, operations, sales, marketing and general management in the optical and laser industries, including previous roles as COO at both JDSU and SDL. He also has served as a director for both Avanex Corp., until its merger with Bookham, and Picarro Inc.

Peterson, who has served as an Oclaro board member since 2011, has experience in the areas of operations, strategy and customer relations. She was the former executive vice president of worldwide operations, services and customer advocacy for Sun Microsystems Inc., until her retirement in 2006 after 17 years with the company. She currently serves as a director for three companies — Humana Inc., Ansell Ltd. and Quantros Inc. — and holds several chair and member positions on each of the companies’ committees.

For more information, visit: www.oclaro.com