Agenda

Executive Vice President,  Corning Incorporated
Clark Kinlin was appointed executive vice president, Corning Incorporated in August 2012. Kinlin leads Corning Optical Communications and is responsible for worldwide production, development, and sales of optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions used in Carrier and Enterprise Networks. As leader of the business group, Kinlin is focused on pursuing growth opportunities that drive optical conversion to every ‘edge’ of the communications network.

Kinlin joined Corning in 1981 and has held a variety of leadership roles within Corning’s divisions including Consumer Products and Corning International.

Kinlin received his undergraduate degree from Kenyon College and his M.B.A. from Harvard University.

Head of Wire and Cable,  CRU

Mike joined CRU Analysis in September 2015 and has previously held the positions of editor of the Stainless Steel Flat Products Monitor and Stainless Steel Flat Products Market Outlook. Before joining CRU, Mike gained experience as an exploration geologist focusing on precious and base metal mineralisation in North Africa.

Prior to his career at CRU, Mike completed his undergraduate studies at Cardiff University where he attained a First Class degree with Honours in Geology. He also holds an MSc in Mining Geology (Distinction) from Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter.

Vice President and General Manager, Optical Fiber and Cable,  Corning

Dr. Bernhard Deutsch was appointed vice president and general manager, Optical Fiber and Cable in February 2018. Deutsch joined Corning Cable Systems (Siemens Communication Cables) in 1995 as manager, application and systems engineering in Munich, Germany. Since then he has held various roles with growing leadership responsibilities in technology; marketing and market development; program and product line management. Prior to joining Corning, Dr. Deutsch was research director at Grohmann Engineering GmbH (now Tesla Grohmann Automation) in Prüm, Germany and served in the German Air Force. Dr. Deutsch holds more than 15 patents and is the co-author of four books and numerous national and international publications. He is a council member of the International Cable Makers Federation (ICF) and has served on advisory boards of Paxio Inc. and Optical Solutions Inc., the Sector Board Telecommunications of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), as chairman of the FTTH Council’s Technology Committee, and on the board of directors of the Catawba Science Center and Canine Companions for Independence. He holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Executive Vice President Telecom Business,  Prysmian Group

Philippe Vanhille has been Senior Vice President Telecom Business since May 2013. After graduating in Mechanical Engineering in Lyon (France) in 1989, he began his career as a Research Engineer for Renault Formula 1 development, and then moved to the cable industry joining Alcatel Cable in 1991. Over the past 20 years, he has held a number of positions in the Operations and General Management areas within the cable industry for Alcatel and Draka, followed by roles in the Energy, Copper Telecom and Optical Fibre sectors. At the time of the Prysmian merger, he was head of Draka’s Global Optical Fibre Business Unit and he held the same position within Prysmian Group until his appointment as Executive VP Telecom Business.

President,  YOFC
Dr. Zhuang Dan obtained his Ph.D. in Accounting from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in June 1998 and obtained the postdoctoral certificate in Business Administration from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in April 2001. He is now the Executive Director and President of Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company and a member of People’s Congress of Hubei Province.

Lead Technologist, Chief Technology Officer, Fixed Networks Division,  Nokia

In the 1990s Ed Harstead led standardization and implementation of first gen TDM PON technologies and managed first gen WDM PON research. Ed spent most of the 2000s in DWDM transport product management. In the current decade he has been supporting the Nokia CTO for fixed networks, with a recent focus on the standardization of high speed PON.

Vice President of New Products,  EPB

Katie Espeseth, Vice President of New Products, joined EPB, Chattanooga Tennessee’s electric power distributor and fiber optics communications provider, in November of 2004, bringing with her over 30 years of marketing and telecommunications experience with a national telecommunications carrier.  

As Vice President of New Products, Katie guides the company’s effort to maximize the value of its 100% fiber optic network with new and enhanced products for both business and residential customers.  

In 2019, Katie and her team began offering support to other municipals and Co-Ops who are interested in deploying a fiber optic network for their communities through EPB Broadband Solutions. Currently, Katie serves on the boards of Fiber Broadband Association and NCTC (National Cable Television Co-op) and chairs the Fiber Deployment Advisory Group for TVPPA (Tennessee Valley Public Power Association).