STLW Stratos Intl (MM)

Stratos International Announces Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer CHICAGO, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Stratos International, Inc. (NASDAQ:STLW), a leading provider of optoelectronic, fiber optic, and radio frequency (RF) and microwave subsystems and components, today announced that Phillip A. (Andy) Harris has been elected President and Chief Executive Officer by the company's Board of Directors. Andy Harris has been a director of Stratos International since 2003. Mr. Harris was Executive Vice President of Sprint North Supply, a telecommunications equipment distributor from 1993 until his retirement in 2001. Mr. Harris was a member of the compensation committee and chaired the governance committee of the Company's board of directors. He has relinquished those committee roles effective immediately but will remain on the board. According to Reg Barrett, Chairman of the Board at Stratos, "Andy's background and experience will be a major help in navigating Stratos International through the changing landscape of our technology markets. His understanding of the industry and our customers make him uniquely qualified to lead Stratos through its next chapter." "I feel greatly honored to have been asked to lead the firm during this challenging and exciting phase of its development," said Harris. "This company has a long history of providing quality components that serve our customers in the telecom, military/aerospace and video markets. We are at an inflection point and we will push ourselves toward improvement and innovation." The Company's former Chief Executive Officer, James McGinley, resigned as an officer and director of the Company in November 2004 in order to pursue other interests. As previously announced, the board continues to explore various strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, including the possible sale of the Company. The Company has retained CIBC World Markets Corp. as its exclusive financial advisor. There is no assurance that a transaction will result involving the Company. In the meantime, the Company expects to continue operations as usual by seeking new business, developing new products and working with customers to maintain a high level of customer service. ABOUT STRATOS INTERNATIONAL Stratos International, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of active and passive optical, optoelectronic, RF and Microwave components, subsystems and interconnect products used in telecom, enterprise, military and video markets. Stratos has a rich history of optical and mechanical packaging expertise and has been a pioneer in developing several optical devices using innovative form factors for telecom, datacom and harsh environments application. This expertise, coupled with several strategic acquisitions, has allowed the Company to amass a broad range of products and build a strong IP portfolio of more than 100 patents. The Company is a market leader in several niches including high margin specialty optical products such as RJ and low rider transceivers, Media Interface Adapters, flex circuits, as well as high performance RF and microwave coax and triax interconnect products. The Company currently serves more than 400 active customers in telecom, military and video markets. This press release contains predictions and other forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from any future performance suggested. These factors include rapid technological change in the optical communications industry; fluctuations in operating results; the Company's dependence on a few large customers; and competition. Other risk factors that may affect the Company's performance are listed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information contact Stratos International at 7444 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL USA 60706-4549; Tel: 708.867.9600. Fax: 708.867.0996. Website: http://www.stratoslightwave.com/ . DATASOURCE: Stratos International, Inc. CONTACT: Barry R. Hollingsworth, Corporate Relations of Stratos International, Inc., +1-708-867-9600 Web site: http://www.stratoslightwave.com/

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