William B. Beck has been named manager of the newly created Fiber Optics Business Unit of the Storm Products Advanced Technology Group (Hinsdale, IL). He has nearly 20 years` experience in fiber optics, most recently with SpecTran Specialty Optics Co. Beck will focus on strategic planning, market development, and applications engineering.
William McMillan, formerly director of engineering and technology at Telect Inc. (Liberty Lake, WA), has been promoted to vice president of engineering and technology. Before joining the company, he was affiliated with several local high-technology firms, including Itron Inc., Data Line Systems, and American Sign and Indicator, as well as Bell Telephone Labs in Illinois.
The Fiber Optics lan Section of the Telecommunications Industry Association (Arlington, VA) has launched a Web site (www.fols.org) that features tech- nology information, case histories, standards updates, and directories of research reports and suppliers. The site is also the source for the latest information on the proposed 100Base-SX standard. fols is a consortium of leading fiber- optic cable, component, and electronics manufacturers that focuses on educating end-users and influencers about the technical advantages and affordability that optical transmission brings to local area networks and fiber-to-the-desk applications. Member companies include 3M, Allied Telesyn, amp, Berk-Tek, an Alcatel Co., Belden Wire & Cable, CommScope Inc., Corning, Lucent Technologies, Siecor, SpecTran, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, and Transition Networks.
