Patrick Nettles

Patrick H.
Nettles was the founder of Ciena Corp., founded in 1992, where the title held was Director from 2024 to 2025.
Dr. Nettles is also the founder of Silicon Graphics, Inc...
Dr. Nettles currently serves as Trustee at the California Institute of Technology.
Former positions include President & Chief Executive Officer at Protocol Engines, Inc. from 1990 to 1992; Independent Non-Executive Chairman at Axcelis Technologies, Inc. from 2015 to 2018; Independent Director at Progressive Corp.
from 2004 to 2021; Director at Metaswitch Networks Service Broker Technologies Corp.; Director at Optiwind Corp.; Director at Carrius Technologies, Inc.; Trustee at Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc.; Chief Financial Officer at Optilink Corp.
from 1989 to 1990; and Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President at Blyth Holdings, Inc. from 1992 to 1994.
Education includes an undergraduate degree from Georgia Institute of Technology conferred in 1964 and a doctorate from California Institute of Technology conferred in 1970.