Principals of Mass. technology firm to speak at URI’s Behind the Boston Scene Leaders of Quantum Bridge to address URI alumni May 10 KINGSTON, R.I. — April 20, 2001 — In its two-and-a-half year history, Quantum Bridge Communications Inc. of Andover, Mass. has been cited by numerous high-tech magazines for its innovative technology, most recently garnering the “2000 Product of the Year Award” from Network Magazine. Now University of Rhode Island alumni who live in greater Boston will be able to hear from two men who were instrumental in the company’s founding and continued success in the technology arena. Tony Zona, co-founder, president, and chief executive officer of Quantum Bridge, and Gary Bowen, chairman of the board will speak on “Speed is Life – The Making of an Optical Access Company,” on Thursday, May 10 at Le Meridien Boston, 250 Franklin Street. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., and the presentation is at 7 p.m. in the Belair Room. Cost is $10 per person. Those wishing to attend should respond by phone at 401-874-2896. Their talk is part of Behind the Boston Scene component of the URI Executive Series, sponsored by URI’s Division of University Advancement. Zona, who graduated from URI in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, heads the company, which is focused on delivering next-generation optical networking equipment. The Quantum Bridge product portfolio is currently deployed in service provider networks and has received widespread industry praise for making optical access networking a reality. Zona, who was named the 2000 Mass High Tech All-Star in the telecommunications industry, has more than 15 years experience in developing, managing, and marketing telecommunications technology and systems. Prior to founding Quantum Bridge, Zona worked with Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies developing and managing SONET, ATM, HFC, and Switched Digital Broadband systems. He began his career as a systems engineer for Raytheon Corp., working on the Patriot Radar System. In addition to his URI degree, Zona has a M.S. in applied mathematics from the University of Massachusetts and a MBA from Boston University. Bowen, a 1968 graduate of URI with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, is an investor in start-up technology companies. From 1969 to 1982, he held various sales, marketing, and management positions at the Hewlett-Packard Co. From 1982 to 1989, Bowen was a founder and senior vice president of marketing, sales and customer support for Masscomp, a designer and manufacturer of high-performance workstations. Masscomp went public in 1984 and was acquired by Concurrent Computer Corp. in 1988. From 1989 to 1996, Bowen served as executive vice president of marketing, sales, and customer support for Wellfleet Communications, which became Bay Networks when Wellfleet acquired Synoptics in 1994. Wellfleet and Bay Networks designed, manufactured, and marketed networking products. Quantum Bridge, which employs 300 people, is recognized as a leader in optical access networking. A sampling of the awards the company has received includes: o “One of 10 Companies to Watch,” Inter@ctiveWeek Magazine o Winner, New Product Achievement Award, ComNet Expo 2000 o “Product of the Month,” Telecommunications Magazine o “One of 10 Companies to Watch,” Network World Magazine o “Product of the Year,” Massachusetts Telecommunications Council o “Hot Start-Up 2000,” Telecommunications Magazine o “2000 Product of the Year,” Network Magazine For Information: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-2116