Ashish Vengsarkar
Chief Executive Officer

Ashish Vengsarkar joined Nistica as CEO in the spring of 2006.  He came to Nistica from Meriton Networks where he was Vice President of Global Business Development. Prior to Meriton, Ashish founded the ROADM pioneer Photuris in January 2000, where he was Vice President of Product Marketing.  

Ashish began his career in Bell Labs developing optical fiber devices and subsystems.  He transitioned to Lucent’s optical business unit as Director of Product Management for Metro Optical Networks where he led the launch of the WaveStar 400G optical transport system.  He has more than 30 patents, many of them utilized in current optical networking products.  

Ashish received his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Master's and Ph.D. Degrees in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech and an Executive MBA from the Wharton School, where he was a Palmer Scholar.

Frank W. Smith
Chief Operating Officer

Frank W. Smith joined Nistica as Chief Operating Officer in June 2010. Previously he served as Chief Executive Officer of Entech Solar, a full-service solar-power provider and a developer of concentrating photovoltaic and thermal systems.  Prior to Entech Solar, Frank worked for Emcore and JDS Uniphase in general management of fiber-optic products including transponders, amplifiers, and active components.  His roles encompassed directing Operations, as well as overseeing Strategy and Business Development at these corporations.

Frank began his career at MIT Lincoln Laboratory researching high-speed electronic and opto-electronic devices and materials. He later joined Lockheed Martin, where he managed a business unit responsible for microwave products for military and space applications.

He holds a B.S. in Engineering & Applied Science from Yale University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from MIT.

Thomas Strasser
Founder and Chief Technology Officer

Tom Strasser co-founded Nistica in the fall of 2005.  Prior to founding Nistica,   Tom was Chief Technologist and Director of Intellectual Property at the optical networking startup Photuris.

Tom's experience ranges from knowledge of components to optical networks, including seven years as a technologist and manager in AT&T and Lucent Bell Labs.  He invented and led product realization efforts that led to commercially deployed WSS ROADMs, Tunable Dispersion Compensators, and undersea qualified OADM fiber gratings. He is a recognized technology leader in optical fiber communications, and served as the Technical Program Chair of OFC 2004 and General Chair of OFC/NFOEC 2006.

Tom received a B.S. degree from Alfred University and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University. During his graduate studies on periodic guided-wave devices, he worked at Eastman-Kodak Research Labs.

Jefferson Wagener
Founder and Vice President Engineering

Jeff Wagener co-founded Nistica in the fall of 2005.  As a founding member of Photuris, Jeff delivered a unique mixture of creative genius and practical product realization expertise to all aspects of optics, software, and electronics in the ROADM subsystem technology.

Jeff has led invention and product realization efforts in groundbreaking subsystem technologies, including the first commercially deployed WSS ROADM and the first Optical Channel Monitor integrated into a transport system. He has made major contributions to the delivery of innovative solutions to manufacturing issues, test regimen, database integration, reliability and quality assurance that are critical to achieving qualified, carrier-class technology.

Jeff received a B.S. in Engineering Physics from Cornell University and a Ph. D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University.

Joanne Bisconti
Vice President Finance

Joanne Bisconti joined Nistica as Vice President in April 2008.  She came to Nistica from Opticon Inc., an international barcode and data collection company where she held a series of positions including Controller, Finance Director, and Vice President of Finance and Human Resources.

Joanne has broad experience in all facets of accounting, finance, and inventory management.  She was Opticon's financial and accounting liaison for the initial public offering of the company's Japanese parent, OPTO Electronics. Her understanding of the reporting requirements and maintenance of necessary fiduciary responsibilities of a public company provide a global perspective to Nistica's business.

Joanne began her career in public accounting working with small businesses, helping them to establish proper accounting practices.  Joanne received her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Ramapo College.

Steven Robinson
Vice President Operations
and Product Line Management

Steven Robinson joined Nistica in May 2009.  He brings over twenty-seven years of business and technical experience in the telecommunications industry.   Prior to joining Nistica, Steven was Senior VP and General Manager at Xtera Communications where he introduced one of the first commercially deployed WSS ROADM systems to the marketplace 

Steven has held various leadership and product development roles in AT&T Bell Laboratories, Lucent, and Agere Microelectronics.  While at Agere he founded an Optical MEMS new venture that developed dynamic channel equalizers and compact cross-connect switches.   Steven led Lucent’s Corporate Technology Strategy Group, coordinating product and technology strategies across Lucent’s business units.  He also developed opto-electronic components and sub-systems; leading them into high volume manufacturing in both Reading, PA and Bangkok, Thailand.    

Steven received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University and received his MBA from Lehigh University in 1996.