Michael Cyrus, CEO & Board Member
Michael has over 30 years of experience in technology development, executive management and international projects. Michael served as CEO of Inplane Photonics, a venture funded company acquired by CyOptics / Avago. Inplane was a leading practitioner of “glass on silicon” Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) technology, which supports complex and versatile photonic integration. At its core, Inplane had a versatile PLC technology which enabled the fabrication of integrated optical circuits for data transmission, distribution, detection, and conditioning on monolithic silicon chips. This allowed the miniaturization of functional components in optical communication networks and the hybrid integration of semiconductor sources and detector devices to achieve monolithic functionality at a subsystem level. Such integration delivers smaller, lighter and more robust solutions than any others available today.
Michael was Executive Chairman of the venture-funded company Kodeos Communications, which was acquired by Finisar (NASDAQ: FNSR). Kodeos’ breakthrough signal processing technologies enable transmission over greater distances while making the overall system more tolerant to dispersion. Additionally, the signal processing algorithms enabled spectral shaping that yielded higher spectral efficiency for greater bandwidth utilization.
Prior to joining Inplane, Michael was the CEO of Defense Photonics Group, which provides mission-enabling solutions for top tier defense contractors and system integrators. Defense Photonics develops high-performance digital and RF fiber optic transmission subsystems and networks for advanced air and sea avionics platforms; high-bandwidth RF technology for optical systems and networks; and advanced Homeland security technologies.
Prior to Defense Photonics, Michael was President and CEO of Cyrospace, Inc., where he was responsible for executive management of a complex core organization and its spin-off activities and initiatives. He has conducted R&D initiatives on Plasma Rocket Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating for long duration space flights, Nano Satellites concepts, Alternative Energy technologies, GPS Personal Locator System, Light Bullet technology. Additionally, Michael worked to incubate several start-up companies with unique products.
Prior to Cyrospace, Michael was Vice President of Operations at Lockheed Martin where he performed operational activities of Lockheed’s Space Operations and its programs with 5000 employees. Direct responsibilities included M&A Business Integration, Strategic Initiatives, R&D, Manufacturing and Engineering activities. Additionally, he directed Advanced Programs and Lunar/Mars related R&D programs.