The MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum) has announced that Andrew McFadzen, head of global marketing – network solutions at Orange Business Services, has become its new chairman.
UK born McFadzen has more than 30 years of experience in the international telecommunications sector and has been a director of the MEF since 2011. He previously held business leadership positions with Orange Business Services in the UK and Germany, and worked in a variety of international roles at Deutsche Telekom and Cable & Wireless.
“We are delighted to have Andrew take the MEF forward as the Carrier Ethernet industry enters a new growth phase characterized by more dynamic, productivity-enhancing services. Andrew’s leadership experience in global marketing, Ethernet & IP service portfolio development, carrier-to-carrier relations, and video collaboration across networks will prove invaluable in the MEF’s ongoing efforts to spur innovation and accelerate carrier Ethernet adoption worldwide,” Nan Chen, president of the MEF, said.
McFadzen added: “The work of the MEF is hugely important to the continued growth and dominance of Carrier Ethernet across the globe. I am excited by the prospect of helping the organization and its members grow so that businesses and individuals can benefit from exciting new services and applications delivered over more efficient, automated, and interconnected global networks.”
As McFadzen’s appointment was announced, Chen also delivered two MEF Recognition Awards. Bill Bjorkman, Principal Consultant, International Carrier Ethernet Solutions (ICES), received the 2014 Distinguished Fellow Award for his outstanding contributions to the Carrier Ethernet industry. In addition, Jimmy Hu, Senior Principle Architect at Ciena, was given the 2014 Technical Editor’s Award for his work on the MEF 35.0.2 (SOAM Performance Management) specification.
MEF is a global industry alliance comprising over 220 organizations including telecommunications service providers, cable MSOs, network equipment/software manufacturers, semiconductors vendors and testing organizations. The MEF’s mission is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services. The MEF develops Carrier Ethernet technical specifications and implementation agreements to promote interoperability and deployment of Carrier Ethernet worldwide.
