OTN Systems, a supplier of mission-critical telecommunications network equipment, announced that telecom veteran Dirk Van den Berghen has joined the company as chief executive officer. Dirk’s career spans more than 30 years in leading technology companies.

Dirk joins OTN Systems after a career of six years at simulation and testing solutions provider LMS International, where he served as president and COO since 2009. In that position he proved instrumental in the company’s fast international growth. Since early 2013, after its acquisition by Siemens AG, Dirk facilitated the integration of LMS International into the Siemens PLM Business Unit.

Previously, Dirk served as president of Alcatel’s Broadband Access Networking Division. He started his international career at the company 26 years before. He strongly contributed to the current IP leadership position of Alcatel in the carrier networking market.

Dirk not only managed own strategic development programmes but he also secured Alcatel’s acquisition of TiMetra, a California-based startup company, which he successfully introduced in the European market.

Dirk Van den Berghen said: "Getting back to my Telecom roots as CEO of OTN Systems no doubt is very exciting. I am looking forward to work with the team to continuously serve OTN Systems’ customers."

Bart Diels, chairman of OTN Systems adds: "On behalf of all OTN Systems’ employees and the board of directors, we proudly welcome Dirk as our new CEO. After having significantly invested in OTN and our new XTran platform during the last years, we will now under the leadership of Dirk accelerate the further international commercial roll-out."