POET Technologies Inc. has announced the appointment of Giovanni M. Pacelli as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective November 2, 2026. This significant leadership change comes as the company gears up for volume production in the competitive semiconductor industry.

Pacelli succeeds Thomas Mika, who has served as CFO for the past ten years. Under Mika's financial stewardship, POET has successfully transitioned from a small operation to a well-funded commercial entity, raising over $800 million in capital. Mika will remain with the company until December 2, 2026, to ensure a smooth transition.

Giovanni Pacelli brings three decades of financial leadership experience to his new role. He previously held the position of Senior Director of Finance at Silicon Labs and has worked with major chipmakers Freescale Semiconductor and NXP. His extensive background in finance, strategic planning, and investor relations will be instrumental as POET moves forward.

“Over the past decade, Tom has worked closely with me to transform POET into a well-funded commercial enterprise,” said Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, POET's Chairman and CEO. “Giovanni brings the semiconductor industry depth and public-company capital markets experience we need as we move into volume production.”

Pacelli expressed his enthusiasm for joining POET at this pivotal moment, highlighting the company’s Optical Interposer platform, which addresses critical bandwidth and power challenges in AI infrastructure. He emphasized his commitment to disciplined financial execution and clear communication with shareholders.

In conjunction with his appointment, Pacelli has been awarded 384,615 restricted share units (RSUs), which will vest over three years. This grant aligns with the company’s 2025 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

Looking ahead, POET Technologies is set to report its third-quarter 2026 financial results on November 16, 2026. Furthermore, starting with its fourth-quarter and full-year 2026 results, the company plans to host quarterly earnings conference calls, with Pacelli participating alongside the executive leadership team.

POET Technologies Inc. is a Toronto-based design and development company specializing in high-speed optical engines, light source products, and custom optical modules aimed at the artificial intelligence systems market and hyperscale data centers. The company’s innovative Optical Interposer platform integrates electronic and photonic devices, providing solutions that are lower in cost and power consumption compared to traditional products.