Santa Rosa, Calif.-based SpectraSwitch Inc. has named Lindsay Austin as president and CEO. Austin, a former vice president and general manager of JDS Uniphase Corp.'s Commercial Lasers Div. and an editorial adviser to Photonics Spectra, will be responsible for the strategic direction and management of the company, which produces components for the telecommunications industry.

Austin has more than 30 years of experience in the photonics industry, including stints as director of the business unit and new product development at Coherent Inc. and as director of US operations at Lambda Physik Inc. He replaces Nick Lawrence, the founder of SpectraSwitch, who will become vice president of business development.