Michael Bortz has worked in a variety of high technology companies over the past 25 years developing key technologies for fiber optic communications. At SDL he developed high-power optical amplifiers and fiber-optic communication subsystems. He joined Corvis as one of the first technical employees and was responsible for all aspects of Corvis’ all-optical switching technology, including deployment in carrier networks. At Broadwing, a nationwide IXC acquired by Corvis, Mike was VP of Engineering and Planning, responsible for all aspects of equipment deployment in the network. Since leaving Broadwing, Mike has been a consultant to several high technology start-ups as well as a consultant with NASA on a variety of programs. Mike holds a BS from Cornell University and an MS and Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University.