#United States #Norcross #Lightera #Holly Hulse #Foad Shaikhzadeh

Lightera's Leadership Update: A New Era Begins

In a significant move, Lightera has revealed that Holly Hulse will take on the role of Chief Executive Officer starting April 1, 2026. This transition sees her succeeding Foad Shaikhzadeh, who will remain with the company as Chairman, ensuring continuity during this pivotal phase. This leadership shift aligns with Lightera’s first anniversary of global integration, underscoring the company's commitment to growth and innovation.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Lightera was born from the integration of Furukawa Electric Group's fiber and cable business in 2024. This initiative paved the way for enhanced collaboration and operational efficiency within the company. The formal launch on April 1, 2025, marked the establishment of Lightera as an entity capable of responding to the increasing global demand for unified connectivity solutions tailored for diverse customer needs, including those of hyperscale data centers.

During its inaugural year, Lightera made substantial progress in refining its global operating model. The company successfully emphasized a solution-based sales approach and expanded its presence across vital sectors such as communications networks, connectivity infrastructure, and data centers. These strategic efforts resulted in operational achievements that surpassed initial expectations, positioning Lightera as a formidable player in the industry.

Holly Hulse: A Leader Ready to Drive Change

Holly Hulse, who was appointed as Corporate Vice President of Furukawa Electric in 2025, is poised to take the helm at Lightera during this transformative period. As the incoming CEO, her focus will be to cultivate high-value segments, particularly in data centers, while fostering innovation across Lightera's portfolio.

Hulse expressed her enthusiasm regarding her new role, stating, "Lightera has established a solid foundation in its first year through global alignment, agility, and a clear market focus. We are well positioned to scale our impact in the market, deepen customer partnerships, and deliver high-performance solutions that support the next generation of digital infrastructure."

Strategic Direction and Future Outlook

Shinji Asao, Corporate Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Optical Solutions Domain at Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., highlighted the essential role that Foad Shaikhzadeh has played in crafting Lightera’s identity and strategic framework. As Chairman, Shaikhzadeh's continued involvement will help steer Lightera into its next growth phase under Hulse's leadership.

As Lightera embarks on this new journey, the company's foundational principles of global alignment and agility are set to propel it toward greater success. With the telecommunications sector evolving rapidly, Lightera is well-positioned to leverage its capabilities to meet the escalating demands for innovation in digital infrastructures.

About Lightera

Lightera stands as a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions. With a robust legacy rooted in optical science, the company provides high-performance solutions that facilitate faster, more reliable, and sustainable connections for a broad spectrum of industries and communities worldwide.

Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, Lightera serves customers across various sectors including telecommunications, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, and defense industries, among others. As a part of Furukawa Electric Group, Lightera is committed to pioneering the next generation of infrastructure by integrating solutions in connectivity, information, energy, and mobility, all aimed at fostering a safe, peaceful, and sustainable world.

For further details, please visit Lightera's official website.