8-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8‑K
CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): January 19, 2017
Ciena Corporation (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
0-21969	23-2725311
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
7035 Ridge Road, Hanover, MD	21076
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)
(410) 694-5700
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 5.02 - DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

(b)    On January 19, 2017, François Locoh-Donou, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, notified Ciena Corporation (“Ciena”) of his decision to resign as an officer and employee of Ciena and its subsidiaries, effective as of March 23, 2017 or such earlier date as may be mutually agreed. In connection with Ciena’s broader organizational design planning, Ciena and Mr. Locoh-Donou have agreed to work together to provide for an orderly transition of his organizational functions.

Additional information regarding Mr. Locoh-Donou’s departure is included in the press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

ITEM 9.01 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d)    The following exhibit is being filed herewith:

Exhibit Number	Description of Document
Exhibit 99.1	Text of Press Release dated January 24, 2017, issued by Ciena Corporation, reporting the resignation of François Locoh-Donou, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	Ciena Corporation
Date: January 24, 2017	By:	/S/ David M. Rothenstein
		David M. Rothenstein
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

EX-99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

François Locoh-Donou to Step Down as Ciena Chief Operating Officer

HANOVER, Md. - January 24, 2017 -Ciena^® (NYSE: CIEN), a network strategy and technology company, today announced that François Locoh-Donou will step down as senior vice president and chief operating officer (COO), effective on or about March 23, 2017. Locoh-Donou joined Ciena in 2002 and served in several leadership positions before becoming COO in November 2015.

"For more than fifteen years, François has helped establish Ciena as a market leader, making significant contributions to the company's continued growth and diversification," said Gary B. Smith, president and CEO, Ciena. "François’ development path at Ciena is a strong testament to our ability to develop world-class talent. The Ciena team has been privileged to have François as an inspiring leader and such an integral part of our unique culture for so many years. We wish him well on his professional journey.”

Ciena’s deep management team is executing on its robust and proven succession planning process to ensure a smooth transition for the organization and Ciena’s customers, partners and suppliers.

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About Ciena

Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a network strategy and technology company. We translate best-in-class technology into value through a high-touch, consultative business model - with a relentless drive to create exceptional experiences measured by outcomes. For updates on Ciena, follow us on Twitter @Ciena, LinkedIn, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com.

Note to Ciena Investors

You are encouraged to review the Investors section of our website, where we routinely post press releases, SEC filings, recent news, financial results, and other announcements. From time to time we exclusively post material information to this website along with other disclosure channels that we use. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, forecasts, information and assumptions. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those stated or implied, as a result of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in our most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies and can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," and "would" or similar words. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.