The network equipment giant has named former Cisco executive Gary Kunis as
CTO. During the 1980s, Kunis led developments related to IP standards and routing technology. He left Cisco in 2002.
“Since leaving Cisco, Kunis has been a private investor in biotech companies
and has been providing advice to some tech companies,” a Nortel spokeswoman said.
Gary Kunis Source: Kunis.org
Earlier in his career, Kunis helped design large data and telecommunications
networks for the Department of Defense, NASA and other agencies while working for Boeing.
He graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton with
a bachelor’s in Economics; he also holds a master’s in Economics from Tufts University.
To make room for Kunis, current CTO Brian McFadden will become chief
research officer. McFadden only held the CTO job for six months.
In his new post, the 26-year Nortel vet will oversee advanced
technology, research and standards organizations. The changes are effective
April 4.
Nortel CEO Bill Owens said creating two distinct technology and research and
development organizations will make the Canadian company stronger.
The company is working its way back from both an accounting scandal
that forced out its former CEO and several top managers, as well as the telecom
equipment downturn.
On the technology side, Nortel has been partnering
with its Asian counterparts.
Earlier this year, Nortel hammered out details of a joint venture to build
telecom equipment with China Putian. In addition, it announced a similar
deal with South Korea’s LG Electronics.
